October 30, 2016 by Guyana Daily News

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016

City Hall Cannot Account For Hundreds Of Millions Of Tax Payers Money – Audit Report

Many residents of Georgetown are demanding answers from the Mayor and City Council as it relates to the expenditure of $300 million that were allocated to the Council. According to the Auditor General’s report of 2015, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council cannot account for hundreds of millions of dollars. The sum of $300M was allocated for the Georgetown restoration initiatives for environmental improvement and improved health and well-being. According to the Appropriation Account, the full amount was expended as at 31 December 2015. Audit examination revealed that $6.200M was expended for the purchase of a double cab pick-up for the City Police, $52.163M for the bush cutting of the Le Repentir Cemetery and $241.637M for the restoration of Georgetown. The audit revealed that 212 payment vouchers were examined and a number of discrepancies were unearthed: there were 167 instances totaling $159.968M where there was no evidence of the payment vouchers being certified by the Accountant or any other authorized officer; approval by the City Treasurer was not seen on 140 payment vouchers totaling $143.682M; there was no evidence of the Finance Committee approving fifty-eight payments totaling $48.404M on 58 instances; there was no evidence of receipt or payee acknowledgement for a payment of $750,000 to a contractor via cheque number 164407587; and the basis of award of several contracts for the weeding of

parapet, desilting of drains and cutting down of trees in various areas around Georgetown could not be determined due to the unavailability of the relevant supporting documents. As a result, it could not be ascertained whether proper transparency and accountability was exercised in the awarding of the contracts.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016

Police Commissioner (ag.) Defends Decreased Crime Stats

Police Commissioner (ag.) David Ramnarine Police Commissioner (ag.) David Ramnarine has lashed out at critics who refute the police statistics that there is a decrease in serious crime in Guyana. The acting Police Commissioner described the concerns about the rise in gun related crimes as “insinuations about fabrications and concoction” of crime statistics. The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) is one of the many which noted that the oﬃcial police crime statistics do not reﬂect the true situation, and has questioned the accuracy of the stats. President of the GCCI, Vishnu Doerga said he believes that some victims do not report crimes to the police, which result in

inaccurate official figures. There is no information publicly as to the method the police force use to obtain the information for the statistical report. Nicholas Boyer, Vice President of the GCCI said he also could not ascertain the accuracy of the police statistics. “We have not audited how they got their information. Right now, I can’t really give an opinion on the accuracy of their figures because I’m not at the station levels where the officers are taking the reports…” he said at a press briefing last week. This was also the view of former Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips, who on Friday last said although the official police statistics show a decline in serious crimes, it is his firm belief the feeling of insecurity among Guyanese is very high and that the high incidence of gun-related crimes is the most pressing problem in Guyanese society. However, the acting Police Commissioner said that these statements “only serve to embolden criminal elements”. Ramnarine accused the critics of “not being really concerned with safety and security of those they claim to represent or speak for.” He went on to say that “they serve to glorify and support the actions of criminal elements because of the contextual nature in which a few serious crimes, in particularly those involving the use of firearms are glamourized and emphasized.” The Police Force however still maintains that that there is a reduction in crime. The Acting Commissioner pointed out that there has been a reduction of reported robberies involving the use of firearms when compared to over the last three years.

Vendor Charged With Armed Robbery Market vendor, Keaton Kabitclor appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, charged with robbery underarms which he allegedly committed on October 9, 2016. He was refused bail and remanded until November 8, 2016 when he will reappear before the court for

continuation into the matter. Unrepresented before the court, the 22 -year-old pleaded not guilty to the charge. It is alleged that on the day in question, the defendant, while armed with a gun robbed, Edmond Vibert of approximately GY$107,000.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS Lethem Business Owners Want Economic Boost From Government Residents of Lethem, Region 9 are calling on the government to PAGE 4

resuscitate the collapsing business environment in the area. Some residents are of the view that the current business crisis is due to ineﬀective business policies and lack of vision by the APNU+AFC government. Several business owners who wish to remain anonymous told the Guyana Daily News that a lot of trading was being done with neighboring Brazil, but business came to a halt in the last year or so. Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin had stated earlier in the year the some US$10 million will be spent to boost business activities in the area. The Minister had also stated that the government intends to provide much more support to the business community, but that community has to do its part by being tax compliant. Minister Gaskin had also reaﬃrmed that the government to which he belongs is taking steps to ensure that unemployment is reduced in the area and that all citizens are gainfully employed. However, one business owner noted, “where will they be employed? And if the business sector is dead then they cannot be employed.”

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016

The popular Lethem Business District which was once booming with shoppers and visitors from Brazil

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016

Guyana Solidifies Bilateral Relations With Chile Pesident David Granger met with Chilean President Michelle Bachelet Monday at the Audience Hall of the Moneda Palace in Santiago de Chile, to finalize negotiations on two bilateral agreements. These are the Open Skies/ Air Services Agreement and the Reciprocal Agreement for the Abolition of Visa Requirements for Holders of Ordinary Passports. During his visit to the Southern Nation, his Excellency delivered a lecture at the Andrés Bello Diplomatic Academy of Chile on ‘His vision and assessment as well as the strategic implications on his call for the Caribbean to be preserved as a zone of peace’. Also present at this event were Carl Greenidge, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Director of the Economic Relations and member of the Chilean Chancellery, Mr. Pablo Urria. This visit comes soon after President Bachelet’s visit to Guyana in July last, in which the Chilean mandatary participated as an honorable guest of the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting, which took place from the 4th to the 6th of July. During her visit, Bachelet took the opportunity to solidify bilateral relations between the two nations, highlighting the necessity of bilateral and regional cooperation, as the correct path to progress. The integration of Chile in the Caribbean Community, and most importantly the solidification of bilateral relations with Guyana, represents a strategic step for the unification of the region. Today Chile’s economy possess a high-income standard, making it the South America's most stable and prosperous nation, leading Latin American countries in competitiveness. Chile stands as an example of economic model for the Caribbean countries. Its dynamic participation as member of the UNASUR (The Union of South American Nations), CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) and the OAS (Organization of American States) constitute a ‘lighthouse’ for the effective performance of the members of the CARICOM (Caribbean Community). Mubuster Greenidge announced earlier this year, that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is committed to reinforce the relations with the Caribbean jurisdiction, making emphasis on the concretion of diplomatic relations between Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, Argentina and Panama, being Chile the precursor of stable negotiations. S o u r c e : https://prensa.presidencia.cl/fotonoticia.aspx?id=42716

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016

Top Cop bashes Judiciary for granting bail carelessly Police Commissioner (ag) David Ramnarine is of the view that the judicial system is insensitive to the dispensation of bail towards defendants who are charged with committing serious crimes. During a recent news conference, the Commissioner argued that bail should be a deterrent to crime. “The amount of bail granted in the court makes a mockery of how responsible people in authority should behave in these matters,” the Commissioner said. Highlighting one recent incident, Commissioner Ramnarine said the prime suspect in the recent robbery murder of a Brazilian national in F Division was granted bail by the Court twice for two separate serious crimes: unlawful possession of a firearm and larceny. “How can we be so insensitive in our dispensation of the granting of bail,” the Commissioner questioned. The commissioner last month, also seemly blamed the Judiciary for the escape of drug lord Barry Dataram from Guyana to Suriname, who was later captured by Surinamese police forces and extradited back to Guyana. Ramnarine in a press briefing at the time expressed that “the Dataram situation is really unfortunate, but not in the sense that law enforcement is indicted.” When questioned about if more caution should have been employed by the law enforcement since case was a high profile one, the Top Cop in defending the Police force and seemly blaming the judiciary said Police Force were not the ones who granted him bail. “Let’s this put this thing in the proper perspective, we didn’t grant him bail comrade… if it were that high profile matter and was properly

regarded by the appropriate people, we were not the one who granted him bail. I’m saying nothing more.” Said the commissioner, who then refused to speak on the matter anymore. Commissioner Ramnarine said that he will not allow the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to be criticised for the failures of the other components in the criminal justice system. “I will not take responsibility for the behaviour of other people who constitute and have a role to play in the criminal justice system. I can only defend our actions in the Police Force,” the commissioner expressed.

Police Commissioner (ag) David Ramnarine

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016

Shopkeeper Remanded For Possession Of Cannabis Thirty-year-old Alex Bone appeared before Magistrate Annette Singh in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court charged with being in possession of narcotics with the intent to traffic. Bone pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded until November 7, 2016 when he will reappear before the court for the statements into the matter. In application for bail, Bone’s Attorney said he is a father of three and on the day in question, he was not in direct possession of the cannabis but it was in fact found in the area surrounding a shop in the North Ruimveldt area which he operates. Police prosecution objected to bail, noting that on October 20, 2016 at North Ruimveldt, police officers while carrying out a raid, stopped and searched Bone and found in his possession 15 grams of cannabis. It was revealed to the court that the narcotics were parcelled off into Ziploc bags.

Prison Escapee Recaptured As One Remains At Large One of two Lusignan Prison escapees, was this morning recaptured by ranks of the Guyana Police Force, in a vehicle at Kitty, after being on the run since September 19 last. About 0915h., acting on information received, ranks intercepted a public transportation vehicle in the vicinity of the Kitty Service Station and extracted the convict who denied he was the person but subsequently retracted his statement when Prison Oﬃcers positively identiﬁed him as 27 year old, Fayouse Shakir, of 65 Le Ressouvenir, ECD, and who at the time of his escape was serving two two-years sentence for Break and Enter and Larceny. He will soon face an Escape from Lawful Custody charge before returning to continue his period of incarceration. The other escapee, Rajendra Deonarine is still at large. Guyana Police Force Press Release

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016

Women’s Institute, Partners Honour Elders power to deny the rights of our

The Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute this weekend celebrated the contribution of 50 senior citizens who have impacted Guyana’s development over the years. The Institute, an arm of the Ministry of Social Protection, honoured seniors from nearby communities at its Cove and John location in collaboration with the Belﬁeld-Victoria Community Policing Group and the Mangrove Reserve Producers’ Cooperative Society. Embracing the theme, “Take a Stand Against Ageism”, the groups said the ceremony is their way of saying thank you to these citizens and to urge them to continue playing a role in society. Among those honouring the elders were Mrs. Sita Nagamootoo, wife of the Prime Minister. “Let us be careful when we say elderly we don’t use the word to insult people as being old, feeble and helpless… we must honor and respect our senior citizens. They are usually our mentors, our guide...We must not use ageism as a

senior citizens to make further contribution to our social, cultural, economic and political life.. You the elders have made your contribution to your families, homes, villages and your country,” she said. Minister in the Ministry of Social Proection, Keith Scott said also hailed the seniors’ contribution to Guyana. “You have done your duty. You have gone to the top of the mountain…Guyana is better because you fulﬁlled your duty in the past.” Also celebrating with the senior citizens were Chairperson of the National Commission on the Elderly Everett De Leon, and Principal Personnel Oﬃcer at the Ministry, Mr. Shelton Daniels. Ministry of Social Protection Press Release

Top Cop Wants Work Expedited At Brickdam Police Station

Police Commissioner (ag) David Ramnarine Police Commissioner (ag) David Ramnarine has called on the government

to expedite efforts to complete work being done at the Brickdam detention facility which is urgently needed to adequately serve the needs of the police ‘A’ Division. “The burden of shifting serious crimes suspects to other lockups on a daily basis is one we have been bearing with tremendous patience over the years. I wish to take this opportunity to urge the officials concerned to spare no effort to realise this much needed facility in the capital city of Georgetown,” Commissioner Ramnarine said. ‘A’ Division, which compasses Georgetown, is said to deal with close to 60 percent of the reports of serious crimes. The Commissioner said that it is challenging for the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to find holding facilities for offenders in the division. “You have to eke out scarce mobile resources and

manpower every day to traverse long distances to detain suspects at other facilities,” the Commissioner explained. Ramnarine explained that there is need for an increase in the number of holding cells at the Brickdam lockups. “They need to make it more eﬃcient, they need to make it more accommodating and they need to address human rights issues,” Ramnarine explained. According to the commissioner, these concerns have already been raised with the Ministry of Public Security which has responsibility for the GPF and expressed that more needs to be done for the key detention facility. “There needs to be more eﬀort in terms of expediting, enhancing that process. It’s a key facility it should be given the requisite attention of more attention as the case demands,” Commissioner Ramnarine said.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS Traﬃc Task Force Continues To Clamp Down On Drunk Drivers PAGE 9

Officers of the Guyana Police Force Traffic Task Force continue their campaigning exercise and as a result The following persons have been charged by the police for driving under the influence of alcohol: 1. Royston Blackette of Supply, Mahaica, ECD, was stopped and tested with a breathalyzer on 2016-08-14 while driving motor vehicle GHH 9551 on the D’ Edward Public Road, WCB. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol. He was charged and appeared at the Blairmont Magistrate Court on 2016-03-15 where he pleaded ‘guilty’ and was fined $7,500.00. 2. Jagnarine Deonarine of Lot 52 Grant 2767 Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Berbice, was stopped and tested with a breathalyzer on 2016-08-14 while driving motor vehicle PHH 6442 on the Crabwood Creek Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol. He was charged and appeared at the Springlands Magistrate Court on 2016-08-15 where he pleaded ‘guilty’ and was fined $7, 500.00. 3. Amar Persaud of Lot 58 Back Street, Grove, EBD, was stopped and tested with a breathalyzer on 2016-08-14 while driving motor vehicle PPP 6885 on the Weldaad Public Road, WCB. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol. He was charged and appeared at the Weldaad Magistrate Court on 2016-08-15 where he pleaded ‘guilty’ and was fined $7, 500.00. 4. Radesh Persaud of Lot 17 Novar, Mahaicony, ECD, was stopped and tested with a breathalyzer on 2016-08-14 while driving motor vehicle PJJ 104 on the Weldaad Public Road, WCB. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol. He was charged and appeared at the Weldaad Magistrate Court on 2016-08-15 where he pleaded ‘guilty’ and was fined $7,500.00. 5. Sean Sadloo of Lot 68 Dennis Street, Campbellville, was stopped and tested with a breathalyzer on 2016-08-14 while driving motor vehicle PHH 71 on the Weldaad Public Road, Essequibo Coast He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol. He was charged and appeared at the Weldaad Magistrate Court on 2016-08-15 where he pleaded ‘guilty’ and was fined $7,500.00. 6. Rajendra Persaud, of Lot 68 Grant 1802, Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Berbice, was stopped and tested with a breathalyzer on 2016-08-09 while driving motor vehicle HC 5653 on the Line Path Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol. He was charged and appeared at the Springlands Magistrate Court on 2016-08-10 where he

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016

pleaded ‘guilty’ and was fined $7,500.00. 7. Harry Jairam, of Lot 49 Grant 1803, Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Berbice, was stopped and tested with a breathalyzer on 2016-08-09 while driving motor vehicle PSS 3951 on the Line Path Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol. He was charged and appeared at the Springlands Magistrate Court on 2016-08-10 where he pleaded ‘guilty’ and was fined $7,500.00. 8. Tiwarie Persaud, of Lot 58 Williamsburg, Corentyne, Berbice, was stopped and tested with a breathalyzer on 2016-08-08 while driving motor vehicle PEE 3765 on the Line Path Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol. He was charged and appeared at the Albion Magistrate Court on 2016-08-09 where he pleaded ‘guilty’ and was fined $7,500.00. Guyana Police Force Press Release

Photographs of the individuals charged with the oﬀence

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016

OAS Calls On The Region To Defend Democracy In Venezuela Venezuela to hold the recall referendum violates their rights and violates popular sovereignty. Almagro said the president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, lost "all of his legitimacy of origin after leaving the people of Venezuela without electoral rights" and that therefore the political instability created will be his responsibility. The OAS leader called on the countries of the Americas to act within the framework of article 20 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, which "imposes the obligation of concrete results," and urged the use of mediators that have "the trust of everyone."

OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro WASHINGTON, USA -- The secretary general of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, on Saturday called on the countries of the region to take "concrete actions to defend democracy in Venezuela" after the Venezuelan National Electoral Council (CNE) suspended the process of the collection of signatures to convene a recall referendum, an action he regarded

as an inﬂection point and a breakdown of the democratic system. The secretary general underlined that "only dictatorships deprive their citizens of rights, ignore the legislature, and hold political prisoners," and added: "Today we are more convinced than ever of the breakdown of the democratic system. It is time to take concrete actions." He explained that the denial by the CNE of the constitutional right of the people of

In this context, Almagro referred to the dialogue initiative led by the former presidents José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Martín Torrijos and Leonel Fernández: "It has failed to prevent institutional breakdown; on the contrary whatever its intentions it has aided the string of obstacles placed before the realization of the recall referendum." Therefore, concluded Almagro, is essential that "there be a new mediation eﬀort that gives moral force to the solutions needed by the Venezuelan people." (Caribbean News Now!)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016

IMF Deputy Managing DirectorTo Attend Caribbean Finance Conference In Antigua Caribbean. The conference is being Caribbean countries have experienced

IMF Deputy Managing Director, Zhang Tao WASHINGTON, USA -- The deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Zhang Tao, will attend a crucial conference in Antigua on 27 and 28 October on the issues confronting the banking system in the

hosted by Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne pursuant to a mandate from heads of government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) at their meeting last July. Browne is the prime minister with responsibility for ﬁnancial matters in the quasi-Cabinet of CARICOM leaders. The conference gathers high level representatives of the IMF, the World Bank, the OECD Global Forum on Tax matters, the Inter-American Development Bank, the CARICOM Secretariat, the Caribbean Development Bank and representatives of governments, central banks and regulatory authorities. In Washington on Sunday, Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador Sir Ronald Sanders, said: “The Caribbean banking system is confronting a serious problem with the withdrawal of correspondent banking relations, particularly from US banks. The Antigua Conference is a ‘closed door’ conference of the stakeholders to address the problem through a frank dialogue, looking for sustainable solutions.” The majority of banks in

the loss of correspondent banking relations that threaten to sever the region from the world’s ﬁnancial and trading system, unless it is arrested soon. Sanders said, “In this connection, the presence of Deputy Managing Director Zhang at the Antigua conference shows the importance that the IMF places on this vital matter.” Zhang will make a public statement on the second day of the conference on October 28. The Antigua and Barbuda ambassador, who has been Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s point man in the organization of the conference, revealed that the conference will also hold a session on the “unfortunate branding of Caribbean jurisdictions as tax havens”. He declared that “the region has been ﬁghting this wrongful branding for over two decades”. “In part,” he said, “this accounts for the fear that exists in US banks that they face high-cost risks by providing correspondent relations to Caribbean banks.” At the end of the conference, Browne will issue a ‘chairman’s statement’ on the outcomes and recommendations of its deliberations. (Caribbean News Now!)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016

MacDonald Reappointed As Suriname's Ambassador To The UN proponent of this initiative and it remains high on his personal agenda. In discussing the goals of his team at the Permanent Mission of Suriname to the United Nations, MacDonald said, “I am more than conﬁdent that with the small but committed team at my Mission, we will continue to engage on issues essential to the prosperity of human kind and the advances of global issues such as sustainable development, ethnic and religious tolerance, human rights, gender justice and safety, security council reform, international peace and security, climate change, international migration and the ﬁght against terrorism.”

Suriname’s ambassador to the United Nations, Henry MacDonald (L) presents his credentials to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon By Ray Chickrie Caribbean News Now contributor PARAMARIBO, Suriname -- President Desi Bouterse has reappointment career diplomat Henry MacDonald for the second time as Suriname’s ambassador to the United Nations and, on Friday, MacDonald presented his credentials to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. MacDonald is the only Surinamese diplomat to be sent twice to the UN. “I feel privileged to be called by my president to represent my beloved country, once again at the highest diplomatic echelon,” he said. “As we face many regional and international challenges (ﬁnancial, economic, safety, security, development and diplomatic) that are too great for any single nation to resolve by itself, the

United Nations more than ever before becomes an indispensable instrument for confronting and solving these challenges in collaboration with the international community,” he added. MacDonald said that multilateral diplomacy remains an essential part of Suriname’s foreign policy and the United Nations is of “key importance for the sustainable development of Suriname”. “In the same vein we are currently exceptionally active within organizations such as UNASUR, CARICOM, OIC, CELAC and SIDS,” he noted. Close and dear to MacDonald’s heart is his passion to foster gender equality and end violence against women and girls. He emphasised that the “HeForShe” and Barbershop initiatives to include men and boys in the struggle to attain gender equality and to halt violence against women and girls, an initiative by Suriname and Iceland, will continue. “I can assure you that I will pick up where I left oﬀ,” he said. MacDonald was a key

MacDonald, a career diplomat, is a trained lawyer and holds several degrees from universities in Suriname, Belgium, the United States and the Netherlands. He has represented Suriname at the OAS, UNASUR, OIC and other multilateral bodies. While serving as Suriname’s ambassador to the UN, Macdonald was also chairperson of the CARICOM Caucus of Ambassadors to the United Nations. He was a vice president of the 65th General Assembly and also the chairperson of the UN Third Committee, the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee for the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. (Caribbean News Now!)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016

Rule Of Law Index Ranks Costa Rica, Barbados And Antigua-Barbuda Highest In Region 113 countries and jurisdictions (from 102

Source: World Justice Project Rule of Law Index By Caribbean News Now contributor

WASHINGTON, USA -- The latest World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index was published last week and includes 22 countries in the wider Caribbean in its expanded coverage of

in 2015), relying on more than 100,000 household and expert surveys to measure how the rule of law is experienced in practical, everyday situations by the general public worldwide. Performance is measured using 44 indicators across eight primary rule of law factors, each of which is scored and ranked globally and against regional and income peers: constraints on government powers, absence of corruption, open government, fundamental rights, order and security, regulatory enforcement, civil justice, and criminal justice. The WJP Rule of Law Index is the most comprehensive index of its kind and the only one to rely solely on primary data. The Index’s scores are built from the assessments of local residents (1,000 respondents per country) and local legal experts, ensuring that the ﬁndings reﬂect the conditions experienced by the population, including marginalized sectors of society. The top rated country in the wider Caribbean for 2016 is Costa Rica, followed by Barbados and Antigua and Barbuda. At the bottom is Venezuela, which is also last on the entire global list, below Afghanistan and Cambodia. (Caribbean News Now!)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016

Haitians Cautioned Against Using Guyana To Mexico Cross-country Route To Reach US their journey usually starts.

Cars lined up on a Saturday morning, waiting to exit Mexicali, México, and enter Calexico, California. The street runs along the US-Mexico barrier fence. Photo: Thelma Datter/Wikimedia MEXICALI, Mexico -- Hundreds of Haitians who usually fly or ship-smuggle their way into Guyana, in order to get across the border to Brazil en route to the US-Mexican border are being warned to desist from doing so, as the United States is no longer accepting them. This is as a result of the unusually heavy influx of Haitians seeking a way into the United States, and the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to effect a policy change a few weeks ago. Under a previous directive by President Barack Obama, Haitians who turn up at the US-Mexican border were automatically allowed to enter the United States under a special humanitarian parole visa, because the Obama administration had initially refused to return them to the seemingly never-ending economic hardships and political troubles that are facing their

country. Ever since the Obama administration had allowed this policy, thousands of Haitians have traveled to mainland South America via Guyana, from where they usually cross illegally into Brazil, before making a long river journey into Colombia, and then shuttle their way through Central America into Mexico. The ten-week journey often brings them to the Mexican border city of Mexicali, which straddles the border with the United States, and from where US officials would generally grant entry to almost every fleeing Haitian that came along. But with fewer than 100 days remaining in office, the Obama administration has decided to bring the humanitarian parole visa policy for Haitians to an end, which has now left dozens of would-be Haitian immigrants stranded on the border, while dooming hundreds more that are likely on their way. And since most of them are not intent on settling in trouble prone Mexico, sympathizers are fearful that a humanitarian crisis is in the making, and which can run in reverse order from Mexicali right back to Guyana where

Many would have already been financially exhausted, and may more than likely be traveling with tickets that cannot return them to Haiti, or would not be able to pay a smuggling fish trawler to t a k e t h e m b a c k f r o m G u y a n a ’s Essequibo Coast to Port-au-Prince. In view of this, it has been suggested that Guyana may need to caution legally visiting Haitians against making the Mexico journey if they secretly plan to do so, or intercept and offer humanitarian assistance to those who may be caught while passing through the country illegally via the Essequibo or any other unauthorized ports. Efforts by the Guyana Guardian to solicit a comment from the Department of Homeland Security on whether they are in communication with Guyana or Brazil on the effects of this recent US policy change have so far proved futile. On the other hand, contacted officials with Guyana’s Immigration Department, and the ministry of public security seem to be unaware that all along Guyana was being used as an transit point for hundreds of Haitians going on to the United States. (Caribbean News Now!)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016

LIAT Pilots Refute Claims By St Vincent PM did nothing to rectify the situation, and this months of being silent, and trying its utmost

Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines and Chairman of the Majority Shareholder Governments of LIAT, Dr Ralph Gonsalves (L) speaking in Barbados at last Wednesday's press briefing on LIAT while Barbados Prime Minister Freundel Stuart listens. (C. Pitt/BGIS) By Caribbean News Now contributor ST JOHN’S, Antigua -- The Leeward Islands Airline Pilots Association (LIALPA) said it has refuted the public comments of chairman of the shareholder governments, St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, who said, “We have too many cancellations caused by illness of flight crew… we have too many bouts of illness which results in cancellations.” LIALPA said in a press release that it has also noted that the statements by Gonsalves came just two weeks after a retraction of published statements purportedly made by LIAT’s acting CEO Julie Reifer-Jones, who allegedly said, “On record we have enough cabin crew to fly LIAT’s schedule. We have a high level of reported sickness from crew.” “LIALPA strongly refutes the statements made by PM Gonsalves and by acting CEO Reifer-Jones as erroneous and totally false,” the Association said, asserting that the action of the acting CEO in retracting the statements is because she knows without a doubt that her statements were dishonest. According to LIALPA, LIAT is woefully short of adequate crew to properly execute LIAT’s current flight schedule. Over the last two years, LIAT has not employed a single pilot, even though 31 pilots have left the company either because of retirement or resignation. Nineteen of those who have left were trained to fly the newly acquired ATR type aircraft. “Management sat on their hands while this mass attrition of ATR pilots occurred, and

resulted in the company losing all of the monies it invested in the training of these pilots,” LIALPA said. The cost of training an ATR pilot is reportedly approximately EC$100,000 per pilot, therefore this amounts to a total of EC$1.9 million of training investment that has been lost. “Is this as a result of poor management?” LIALPA asked, adding, “Now, after suffering such losses, and as the winter schedule is prepared, management in a last minute panic is employing additional crew, but this is already too late, as it takes at least three to four months for a new pilot to train before they can actually fly with passengers.” Therefore, any new crew members employed will not be able to fly during the upcoming busy Christmas/New Year season. “Again, those upcoming delays and cancellations are to be laid squarely and solely at the feet of management,” LIALPA said. “The incompetence of LIAT’s management is exposed even further, as they continue to schedule flights even though they are aware that there is no crew available for the scheduled flight, and it would inevitably be cancelled. This then leads to management asking the skeletal remaining crew to double their workload, and to work at maximum time with minimum rest. This is not a feasible model and it is just a matter of time before this operation model breaks down and flight cancellations increase even further,” the Association continued. According to LIALPA, flight cancellations are also occurring because LIAT has no reserve coverage on a daily basis and so a single pilot in a single island has to cover the operational model throughout the network. “This is ludicrous and represents poor planning and incompetent management,” it said. LIALPA categorically stated that there is no abnormal sickness occurring among crew members. Presently, if a single pilot gets the flu and cannot fly, the sickness of that one pilot can cause several flights to be cancelled. “What effectively run airline pleads on a regular basis with pilots, to work on their off days and personal vacation days?” the Association asked. LIALPA continued that, after several

to go above and beyond the call of duty, the Association is now bringing to the attention of the traveling public that some pilots have fallen ill due to due to extremely high and unbearable cockpit temperatures, and also in part, due to the usage of chemicals/ pesticides to address an existing roach infestation in cockpits and passenger cabins. LIAT recorded a profit in the first half of this year, and LIALPA said that management has yet to recognize that this would not have been achieved if the pilots did not make the sacrifice of working 10-11 hours per day, and without the company scheduling meal breaks. A recent media report mentioned that LIAT is expected in the final four months of the year to project a loss of EC$9.2 million. “This was totally avoidable and we lay the blame for this squarely at the feet of management. LIAT lost millions of dollars when it sold its Dash 8 airplanes. When there was a hangar fire in Antigua, records of the airplanes were destroyed and were not backed up,” LIALPA pointed out. Therefore, the airplanes were depreciated and sold under value because, even though LIAT spent millions of dollars putting in new (replacement) parts in the airplanes, they could not prove that the parts were new, nor could they prove how much flying time (usage) the airplanes had, all due to alleged negligence in basic record keeping. No one has been held accountable to date. On the matter of the projected millions of dollars in losses for LIAT, the travelling public was encouraged to ask LIAT’s management two simple questions: 1) Has the removal of flights from certain profitable routes led to these projected losses? 2) Are the projected losses due to political interference in the airline’s destination and flight schedule planning? “LIALPA as always continues to reassure the travelling public that we are committed and dedicated to serving you at the highest professional levels. We want to avoid flight delays and especially cancellations, but we simply cannot do so, due to a shortage of crew, poor working conditions and an incompetent management team,” the Association concluded. (Caribbean News Now!)

REGIONAL PAGE 16

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016

Venezuela To Resume Export Of Fruits AndCuracao Vegetables To general Curacao in Curacao and the decision will ﬂoating market WILLEMSTAD, Curacao -- The governor of Falcon State in Venezuela, Stella Lugo, has lifted the decree banning the export of fruits and vegetables from the state that had taken eﬀect on October 1, 2016. The move was announced by Venezuela’s consul

mean that the export of produce to Curacao will shortly be recommenced. This traditional trading between the two countries has existed for more than 100 years until it was halted recently because of food shortages in Venezuela. (Caribbean News Now!)

PAGE 17

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

REGIONAL MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016

Gov’t Mulls Health Care Insurance Programme such a plan. “I don’t have the ability to basis and it would be diﬃcult to ﬁnd a

Saint Lucia could lead the rest of the Eastern Caribbean in introducing a comprehensive Health Care Insurance Plan for its citizens.Prime Minister Allen Chastanet has disclosed that it is his government’s intention to push for such a plan to come on stream, so that health care delivery could be improved and that every Saint Lucian beneﬁts from the system. Chastanet said his government will seek to have dialogue with both private and public sector unions to discuss and get their intake on the possibility of creating

make this to happen by myself, but if they agree on one basic policy by putting more numbers into that policy, this will reduce the amount of money that we have to pay,” he explained. According to the prime minister, businesses, workers and government will all have to make a contribution. This shared responsibility will allow government to provide more assistance to the unemployed, poor and the elderly. “Why is that important? Right now, the insurance is government and government is trying to budget it. And clearly the amount of money we are spending, which is about $120 million a year, is grossly insuﬃcient.” Chastanet said because of this, Victoria and St Jude Hospitals, along with the many health centres island-wide are not up to standard in terms of the services that they provide to the general public. “Unless you bring a revenue stream, it will aﬀect the ability of people being able to be pay on a timely

real solution to health care,” he opined. The prime minister is hopeful that during the initial discussions with other Eastern Caribbean states, that they maybe a possibility that countries would be able to join forces together with Saint Lucia. “If we can bring the entire OECS or a couple of islands all together sharing in this policy programme, I think it is going to make it stronger. If more numbers come in, one of two things can happen, either we can improve or increase the amount of allowances or services that are included in the insurance program, or it can become cheaper. This will upkeep the same level of services .” Chastanet said his government also plans to have discussion and negotiations with other entities. He concludes that healthcare has the ability to sink the economy, if it is not ﬁxed right now, stating that the country does not have the money to be able to operate the health care system by itself. (St. Lucia News Online)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

REGIONAL MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016

Local Government Campaigning Begins Tonight activities from tonight. The ruling PNM

Local Government Elections activities by political parties begin tonight and voter registration also moves into high gear. November 26 is the final deadline for voter registration for upcoming Local Government Elections according to the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) on Friday. This follows last Thursday’s announcement of the November 28 Local Government Elections date. The term of municipal corporations ended on Friday. The EBC’s chief elections officer, Ramesh Nanan, said the preliminary voters’ list stood at 1,060481 at October 13. A revised list will be done after registration continues over the next week and a supplemental list will be added to the current 1,060481 listing after the final November 26 deadline. Nanan reported no preparation problems or overcrowding by potential voters yet. He said the EBC did the Local Government Elections draft order since June 2014 following the last 2013 Local Government poll and was oiling machinery since. The draft order increased Local Government seats from 134 in 2013 to 137 currently and also stipulated changes in three regional areas—Tunapuna -Piarco, Arima and Penal/Debe. The 14 regional corporations involved from a minimum of six seats (Point Fortin, Mayaro/ Rio Claro) to a

maximum of 16 currently (Tunapuna Piarco). Main changes in the EBC order are in the Tunapuna/Piarco region with the addition of a new seat of Carapo. The addition caused “slight changes” (Nanan said) in nine surrounding electoral areas in Tunapuna/Piarco, and also changes in names of three electoral districts in there. In the Arima municipal corporation, there are changes in boundaries of four electoral areas. There are also boundary changes in four areas in Penal/Debe. Political parties begin “ramping up” Local Government

will be seeking to increase the eight corporations it controls and the Opposition UNC, to add the six corporations it controls. Yesterday, UNC officials and MPs in all areas met with teams to fine-tune campaign arrangements. The PNM and UNC each have full slates of 137 candidates The UNC, which launched campaigning in September, starts intensifying with tonight’s Monday Night Forum at Diego Martin North Secondary School, St Lucien Road. The PNM has some election activity at Thursday’s PNM Divali celebrations in Mausica. Local Government themes will also be in force at next Sunday’s PNM annual convention at Queen’s Park Savannah. Candidates and manifesto may be previewed. Election of PNM executive officers will be done. Several incumbents are contesting. The Congress of the People is contesting the Local Government polls in nine areas in south and central. The ILP has called for nominations up to October 28 with emphasis on the Chaguanas Borough and from people living in other areas who wish to contest. (Trinidad Guardian)

REGIONAL PAGE 19

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016

International Organizations Condemn Violation Of Human Rights In Venezuela

Venezuelan civilian claims for freedom on public protest(archive photo) José Miguel Vivanco, Director of the American-founded international nongovernmental organization ‘Human Right Watch’ (HRW) on Monday condemned the violation of constitutional and human rights in the country, highlighting the decadent state of Venezuela’s economy. According to the Venezuelan Newspaper, El Nacional, in the report Mr. Vivanco highlighted the ‘desperate need of a change’ in Venezuela, change that can only be accomplished through the international

intervention of organizations such as the OAS (Organization of American States), USAN (Union of South American Nations) and the UN (United Nations).Mr. Vivanco assured that without international pressure, the political and humanitarian crisis in the country could only get worse. In the document, Vivanco reflected results of a public survey carried from January 2016 to August last, pointing out that public hospitals cannot provide their patients with treatment, due to the lack of basic medicament and the increase of maternal mortality, during the first five months of the year to a 79%. Highlighting the common scenario of long lines in front of supermarkets, that are unable to supply the masses. In the report Vivanco also stressed that the president blames an alleged ‘economic war’ elaborated by the Venezuelan Opposition, the political sector and the foreign powers, in order to justify the calamity in which the country is submerged. The head of the HRW considers that immediate measures must be taken in order to reach to efficient policies to ‘battle’ this crisis. Organization of the American States (OAS) General Secretary of the OAS Luis Almagro, expressed his disapproval towards the current situation in Venezuela, and the violation of the constitutional rights by the government, during a press conference held this Monday. The diplomat called for the need of peaceful dialogues between the two leading parties in the country, as the only way to start a process of stability.

Venezuela Program of Education-Action in Human Rights (PROVEA) Representatives of the Venezuelan Program of Education-Action in Human Rights (PROVEA) released a statement

this Monday, in which addressed that from October 20th, the mandate of Nicolas Maduro can be qualiﬁed as a dictatorship. On this date the Venezuelan National Electoral Council (CNE) postponed the recollection of the 4 million ﬁrms (20% needed to implement the Revocatory Referendum against President Nicolas Maduro. The recollection of the votes was scheduled to start from the 26th to the 28th of October, activity now postponed until further notice, according to the CNE’s notice. The members of the P R O V E A s t a t e d t h a t M a d u r o s ’s administration is not a classic dictatorship, but a regime with a modern approach of massive control and domination. Is an ‘oppressive regime’ that adapts to the demands of modern times. Able to co-opt the independence of national institutions, giving them the legitimate power for social repression, supremacy and arbitrariness. The NonGovernmental Organizations (NGO) recommends for the protest of the masses, to demand a change of government, as their constitutional right. Source: http://www.elnacional.com/mundo/Human-RightsMaduro-Crisis-Humanitaria_...

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 20

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016

Belgium Walloons Block Key EU Ceta Trade Deal With Canada

There have been demonstrations in several EU cities against Ceta and TTIP(AFP) Belgium cannot sign a key EU trade deal with Canada, Prime Minister Charles Michel says, because of regional objections led by staunchly socialist Wallonia. His statement appeared to dash hopes the Ceta deal could be signed by EU leaders and Canada on Thursday. Mr Michel said that talks with Frenchspeaking regions had broken down. This is the EU's most ambitious free trade deal to date but Belgium needs the regions' approval to sign it. Mr Michel said he had told European Council President Donald Tusk that Belgium could not sign the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (Ceta). The other 27 EU governments want to sign Ceta, which has been in the pipeline for seven years. The European Commission had set Belgium a Monday deadline to make its decision on the deal. Wallonia, a region of 3.6 million people, wants stronger safeguards on labour, environmental and consumer standards. On Monday, it emerged that two other Socialist-led, French-speaking parliaments also opposed Ceta. "The federal government, the German community and Flanders said 'yes.' Wallonia, the Brussels city government

and the French community said 'no'," Mr Michel said. The Belgian Socialists' fears echo those of anti-globalisation activists, who say Ceta and deals like it give too much power to multinationals - power even to intimidate governments. There have also been big demonstrations in several EU countries against Ceta and the TTIP trade talks between the EU and the US. On Sunday the European Commission presented a new clarification to Wallonia on the mechanism for settling disputes with investors. The rules for trade arbitration are one of the thorniest issues in the deal. But Belgium's RTBF news reported (in French) that the latest EU document did not satisfy the Walloon politicians. What is Ceta? Canada and the EU would eliminate 98% of tariffs under Ceta, which was negotiated over five years between 2009 and 2014. Supporters say this would increase trade between them by 20%, and would especially help small businesses. Critics say the deal threatens product standards and protects big business, allowing corporations to sue governments. Donald Tusk is now expected to

tell Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that the Ceta signing - long planned to take place on Thursday in Brussels - cannot go ahead. Canadian Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland was bitterly disappointed on Friday when talks with Wallonia broke down and she ﬂew home, during an EU summit in Brussels. On Monday the Walloon Prime Minister, Paul Magnette, warned: "We will never decide anything under an ultimatum or under pressure." His counterpart in Belgium's Dutchspeaking Flanders region, Geert Bourgeois, said the blockage was "a real shame". "We're the laughing stock of the whole world. It's bad for Wallonia, for Flanders, for Belgium, for Europe, for the whole world," said the centre-right leader, quoted by Reuters news agency. Some UK politicians see Ceta as a potential model for a Brexit trade deal with the EU. Ceta does not involve EUstyle free movement of labour. But for British services - 80% of the UK economy - the Ceta terms are less favourable than those they have now. (BBC)

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 21

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016

French Citizens Killed In Surveillance Plane Crash On Malta down' French Defence Minister JeanYves Le Drian confirmed that three of the victims were ministry staff while the other two were contractors. Early reports that the victims had been officials from the EU's border agency were quickly denied. Frontex said none of its staff had been involved. The Maltese government said the flight had been due to return to the island within hours without landing in third countries.

Ed De Gaetano filmed the moments after the crash Three French defence officials and two other people died when a surveillance plane crashed shortly after take-off at Malta International Airport. The light aircraft was setting off on a mission over the Mediterranean around 07:20 (05:20 GMT) when it nose-dived and disintegrated in a ball of flames. There

was no explosion prior to the crash, according to eyewitnesses. Malta said the flight had been part of a French operation to track illicit trafficking of people and drugs. An investigation into the causes of the crash is to be conducted by the French defence ministry. The airport has reopened with some disruption expected to the day's scheduled flights. 'Straight

Eyewitnesses told the Times of Malta the plane had taken off before turning on its side and going "straight down into the ground". Eyewitness Ed de Gaetano said: "Our plane was just about to take off, and there was a massive explosion on the right hand side of the plane. "It's pretty scary, a lot of commotion in the plane and everyone was wondering what was going on." Video shot from another plane at the airport shows flames and thick black smoke billowing from the site of the crash, next to the runway. All of the victims' remains have been found, the Maltese government said. (BBC)

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 22

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016

Co2 Levels Mark 'New Era' In The World's Changing Climate methane and nitrous oxide. In 2015, levels of methane were 2.5 times greater than in the pre-industrial era, while nitrous oxide was 1.2 times above the historic measure.

A depiction of the global sources of CO2 which are dominated by the US, China and Europe(NASA)

parts per million (ppm), meaning 400 molecules of CO2 for every one million molecules in the atmosphere.

Levels of CO2 in the atmosphere have surged past an important threshold and may not dip below it for "many generations". The 400 parts per million benchmark was broken globally for the ﬁrst time in recorded history in 2015. But according to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), 2016 will likely be the ﬁrst full year to exceed the mark. The high levels can be partly attributed to a strong El Niño event. Gas spike While human emissions of CO2 remained fairly static between 2014 and 2015, the onset of a strong El Niño weather phenomenon caused a spike in levels of the gas in the atmosphere.

The last time CO2 was regularly above 400ppm was three to ﬁve million years ago, say experts. Prior to 1800 atmospheric levels were around 280ppm, according to the US National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration (Noaa). The WMO says that the rise through the 400ppm barrier has persisted and it's likely that 2016 will be the ﬁrst full year when the measurements show CO2 above that benchmark, and "hence for many generations". While the El Niño factor has now disappeared, the human impact on climate change has not, the WMO argues.

That's because the drought conditions in tropical regions produced by El Niño meant that vegetation was less able to absorb CO2. There were also extra emissions from ﬁres, sparked by the drier conditions. In its annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, the World Meteorological Organisation says the conditions helped push the growth in the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere above the average for the last ten years. At the atmospheric monitoring station in Mauna Loa, Hawaii, levels of CO2 broke through 400

"The year 2015 ushered in a new era of optimism and climate action with the Paris climate change agreement," said WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas. "But it will also make history as marking a new era of climate change reality with record high greenhouse gas concentrations." The report also details the growth in other greenhouse gases, including

The study also points to the impact of these increased concentrations of warming gases on the world's climate. Between 1990 and 2015 there was a 37% increase in radiative forcing or warming eﬀect, caused by a build up of these substances, from industrial, agricultural and domestic activities. While welcoming new initiatives like the global agreement to phase out HFC gases agreed recently in Rwanda, the WMO argues that nations must retain their focus on cutting CO2. "Without tackling CO2 emissions, we cannot tackle climate change and keep temperature increases to below 2 degrees C above the pre-industrial era," said Petteri Taalas. "It is therefore of the utmost importance that the Paris Agreement does indeed enter into force well ahead of schedule on 4 November and that we fast-track its implementation." Around 200 nations who signed the Paris climate agreement will meet in Morocco in November to decide on the next steps forward. (BBC)

INTERNATIONAL

GUYANA DAILY NEWS Calais Migrants: Hundreds Moved From 'Jungle' Camp Many want to claim asylum, although others PAGE 23

(AP) About 1,600 migrants have been bussed away from the "Jungle" in Calais as French authorities clear the camp. At least 7,000 people have been living there in squalid conditions. Migrants queued peacefully to be processed, and 40 of the 60 coaches that will carry them to migrant centres across France have now left. There is concern that some people will refuse to go because they still want to get to the UK, and that weekend clashes with police could be repeated. The dismantling of the camp is expected to start on Tuesday. The UK has begun to accept some of the estimated 1,300 unaccompanied children from the camp but halted the transfer process on Monday at the request of the French. The authorities in the camp are determining whether individual migrants are with family members or travelling alone, and whether they are deemed to be vulnerable. After processing they will leave for various parts of France and be given the opportunity to either claim asylum or face deportation. Oﬃcials have predicted that some 2,500 people will leave the camp on Monday. They said they were pleased with the operation's progress although the Calais police commissioner, Patrick Visser-Bourdon, said some people waiting might have to return for transfer on Tuesday because there might not be enough buses. Some volunteers have complained that the migrants were not given enough information about the day's plans and warned of a sense of confusion and chaos. About 7,500 beds are being made available in 450 centres across France. So far migrants have been have been taken to the r e g i o n s o f : A u v e rg n e - R h o n e - A l p e s Bourgogne-Franche-Comte Brittany Pays de la Loire Poitou-Charentes Grand Est Nouvelle Aquitaine Rue des Garennes links the Jungle camp to the new migrant processing centre, and is a

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016

street of suitcases and resignation. At 05:00, three hours before the clearance operation was due to start, groups of refugees and migrants began to form a queue. Since then, a mass exodus from the camp and hundreds are now lining the road waiting for a coach to take them away. Towards the back of the queue is Adil from Sudan, carrying two bags, a football and a guitar. "My dream is dead, the people you see here, they are broken. We can't believe it's over." Inside the camp, aid workers from Care for Calais are moving tent to tent, warning migrants that if they do not leave, they will be arrested. The police presence is large, with many huddled in riot vans, keeping out of the cold, and making the most of the calm. Children will be housed in the camp's converted shipping containers while the rest of the Jungle is dismantled. From Tuesday, heavy machinery will be sent to clear the tents and shelters that have been left behind. The whole operation is expected to take three days. The French interior ministry said it "does not want to use force but if there are migrants who refuse to leave, or NGOs who cause trouble, the police might be forced to intervene". There are reports that British activists from the No Borders group have travelled to the Jungle to try to disrupt the demolition process. The Jungle has played host to scenes of both squalor and of violence, as migrants, mainly from Africa and the Middle East, attempt to board lorries bound for the UK, clashing with drivers and police in the process. A UKfunded wall 1km (0.6 miles) long is being built along the main road to the port in an attempt to deter would-be stowaways. The UK government is reported to have contributed about £1.9m (€2.2m) to the cost of the wall, which is due to be ﬁnished by the end of the year. Why do migrants want to come to the UK? Most believe there is a better prospect of ﬁnding work.

want to enter incognito and remain as illegal workers. The language issue is also important - many speak English but do not have a European language. Some also have relatives in the UK and that is a big draw. Some are attracted by a belief that there is better housing and education available. Some commentators believe illegal migrants also perceive Britain as a "soft touch" for benefits and a better place to find "black economy" jobs, although studies do not necessarily back up this view. Speaking to the BBC, the head of the organisation that runs the port of Calais, Jean-Marc Puissensseau, said business had declined due to attempts by migrants to board trucks bound for the UK. "The port has been really suffering [for] more than one year, because each night there were some attacks, or [migrants] were throwing branches, trees, everything to try to slow down the traffic and then to get into the trucks," he said. He called for action to stop migrants returning after the clearance. What is the Jungle? A migrant walks through the Jungle camp in CalaisImage copyrightAFP The Jungle camp is near the port of Calais and close to the 31-mile Channel Tunnel Officially about 7,000 migrants live in the camp. The Help Refugees agency said the final population ahead of its demolition was 8,143 The camp was halved in area earlier this year but the population continued to rise, and reports of violence have increased Many migrants attempt to hide themselves in cargo vehicles entering the Channel Tunnel The area has been hit by protests from both locals and truck operators Last year more than one million migrants - many fleeing the civil war in Syria - arrived in Europe. Countries struggled to cope and division arose in the EU over how best to deal with resettling people. In March, the EU struck a deal with Turkey to try to stop migrants crossing from Turkey to Greece while Balkan nations closed their borders to migrants. As a result, the number of arrivals using the so-called eastern Mediterranean route has fallen. However, migrants from African countries such as Eritrea and Somalia as well as West African nations such as Nigeria and the Gambia are continuing to attempt the crossing from Libya to Italy. (BBC)

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 24

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016

Somali Pirates' Hostages 'Ate Rats' To Survive Somalia. Two sailors subsequently died of illnesses. Mr

The sailors, including Arnel Balbero (right), ﬂew to Kenya after their release(EPA) A group of sailors who were held hostage by Somali pirates for nearly ﬁve years survived in part by eating rats, one survivor has told the BBC. Filipino sailor Arnel Balbero said they were also only given small amounts of water and felt like "the walking dead" by the end of their ordeal. The 26 sailors were seized on board their ship in 2012 and were eventually taken to Somalia. They were freed on Saturday, reportedly after a ransom was paid. The sailors were from China, the Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Taiwan. Mr Balbero was among the crew of the FV Naham 3 when it was captured by Somali pirates south of the Seychelles. One crew member was killed during the capture, according to non-governmental organisation Oceans Beyond Piracy. A year later, the ship sank and the crew were brought onshore in

Balbero told the BBC that the last four and a half years had left him and his compatriots "like walking dead". Asked how the pirates treated them, he said: "They give us small amount of water only... We eat rat. Yes, we cook it in the forest." "[We] just eat anything, anything. You feel hungry, you eat." He also spoke of their difficulties adjusting to life after their ordeal, saying: "I don't know what is... outside of this world when this finish, so it's very hard to start again." The group are believed to be some of the last remaining captives held by Somali pirates, after a wave of hijackings in the mid-2000s. Piracy off the coast of Somalia, usually for ransom, has reduced significantly in recent years, in part because of extensive international military patrols of the most vulnerable areas. Separately a clip has emerged of the survivors, which appeared to have been taken in 2014 by the pirates amid negotiations as proof that the hostages were still alive. The clip, released by a Taiwanese lawmaker who took part in the negotiations, shows the group of men looking thin and haggard and surrounded by masked gunmen. It then cuts to a man identified by Taiwanese media as Shen Jui-chang, the Taiwanese chief engineer of the hijacked ship. In the clip, Mr Shen says in Mandarin that the men were only given a litre of water a day to drink despite the heat. "There is no water, there is no food," he said, adding that "every one of us has some kind of illness". "The pirates won't get medicine for you, they say that they don't have money to buy medicine. That's how two young men have already died for nothing," he says. Taiwan's foreign affairs ministry said the men were freed after a ransom was paid by the ship's owner as well as groups contracted to negotiate with the pirates, Taiwanese media reported. The ship was Omani-flagged but owned by a Taiwanese company. (BBC)

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 25

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016

Baby Lynlee 'Born Twice' After Life-saving Tumour Surgery

Baby Lynlee Boemer was pulled from her mother's womb for life-saving surgery... before being born by Caesarean t h r e e m o n t h s l a t e r ( PA U L V. K U N T Z / T E X A S CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL) A baby girl from Lewisville, Texas, has been "born" twice after she was taken out of her mother's womb for 20 minutes for lifesaving surgery. At 16 weeks pregnant, Margaret Hawkins Boemer discovered her daughter, Lynlee Hope, had a tumour on her spine. The mass, known as a sacrococcygeal teratoma, was diverting blood from the foetus - raising the risk of fatal heart failure. Baby Lynlee weighed just 1lb 3oz (0.53kg) when surgeons opened the womb. Mrs Boemer had originally been expecting twins, but lost one

of her babies before the second trimester. She was initially advised to terminate her pregnancy entirely before doctors at Texas Children's Fetal Center suggested the risky surgery. The tumour and the unborn baby were almost the same size by the time the operation was performed. Lynlee was given a 50% chance of survival. Mrs Boemers told CNN: "At 23 weeks, the tumour was shutting her heart down and causing her to go into cardiac failure, so it was a choice of allowing the tumour to take over her body or giving her a chance at life. "It was an easy decision for us: We wanted to give her life." 'Her heart stopped' Doctor Darrell Cass of Texas Children's Fetal Centre was one of the team who carried out the surgery. He said the tumour had been so large that a "huge" incision was required to reach it, leaving the baby "hanging out in the air". Lynlee's heart virtually stopped during the procedure but a heart specialist kept her alive while most of the tumour was removed, he added. The team then placed her back in her mother's womb and sewed her uterus up. Mrs Boemer spent the next 12 weeks on bedrest, and Lynlee entered the world for the second time on 6 June. She was born via Caesarean at almost full term, weighing 5Ib and 5oz, and named after both of her grandmothers. When Lynlee was eight days old, a further operation helped remove the rest of the tumour from her tailbone. Dr Cass said the baby girl was now home and thriving. "Baby Boemer is still an infant but is doing beautiful," he conďŹ rmed. Sacrococcygeal teratoma is a rare form of tumour seen in one out of 30,000-70,000 live births. Its cause is unknown but baby girls are aďŹ&#x20AC;ected four times more often than boys. (BBC)

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 26

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016

'One Million' Chinese Officials Punished For Corruption overseas this year. The statistics were released as top officials in the Chinese Communist Party begin a closed-door plenum in Beijing. President Xi Jinping has led a wide-ranging anticorruption drive. But some observers say the campaign has also been used by Mr Xi to purge political rivals, which he has denied. The BBC's Stephen McDonell in Beijing says the secretive plenum will discuss changes to the Communist Party rules. However, analysts warn that some of the changes being considered could give President Xi Jinping too much power, our correspondent adds. According to the party's corruption watchdog, the central committee for discipline inspection, more than one million officials have been punished for corruption since 2013.

The government says the corruption suspects were guilty of bribery and abuse of power, among other crimes(AP) China has punished more than one million oﬃcials for corruption over the past three years, the government says. Another 409 people, said to be fugitives, have been detained

Those caught up in the corruption drive range from lowranking oﬃcials to top ministers, as well as members of the business and media establishments. China has aggressively pursued suspects who have ﬂed the country in its Sky Net and Fox Hunt security operations. The government says the corruption suspects were guilty of bribery and abuse of power, among other crimes. (BBC)

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 27

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016

Mosul Iraq Offensive: Kurdish Forces Besiege Key Town Of Bashiqa

Mosul battle: Inside camp for people fleeing IS fighting Kurdish forces taking part in the offensive to retake the Iraqi city of Mosul from Islamic State (IS) militants are besieging a key town to the north. Peshmerga fighters have surrounded Bashiqa, which lies on a crucial supply route only 12km (8 miles) from Mosul, on three sides, a commander said. But the threat of suicide bomb attacks means they are advancing with caution. The Iraqi military has meanwhile denied that Turkish forces are involved in the battle for Bashiqa. Turkey's government said on Sunday that troops stationed at a nearby base had provided artillery support following a Peshmerga request. This is the second time that the Peshmerga have tried to seize control of Bashiqa. Last week, they had to abandon the attack after fierce fighting with heavily armed IS militants inside the town. But now they seem to be making progress, says the BBC's Richard Galpin in the Iraqi Kurdish capital, Irbil. A senior Peshmerga commander, Gen Said Hazhar, said Bashiqa had been "encircled" and his troops were digging trenches around the town in preparation for an assault, the Kurdish news agency Rudaw reports. They were also reported to have cut off the main road between Bashiqa and Mosul, a major route into the city that fell to IS in June 2014. In a significant development on Sunday, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim announced that Turkish troops who have been training Peshmerga and Sunni Arab tribal fighters near Bashiqa - were involved in the battle, despite strong objections from the Iraqi government. Journalists on the front line also reported seeing artillery fire coming from the Turkish base and targeting IS positions on several occasions. But the Iraqi military's joint operations command denied "Turkish participation of any kind in operations for the liberation of Nineveh" province. US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter had suggested before his visit to Iraq over the weekend that Turkey should be given a role. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi firmly rejected the idea and said he would tell

Turkey: "This is something the Iraqis will handle." Informants 'executed by IS' About 30,000 Iraqi security forces, Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, Sunni Arab tribesmen and Shia militiamen, assisted by US-led coalition warplanes and military advisers, launched the long-awaited offensive to retake Mosul a week ago. On Monday, US special presidential envoy to the coalition Brett McGurk declared that they had met all their objectives thus far, and that the coalition had carried out more air strikes than during any other seven-day period of the war against IS. Meanwhile, a senior intelligence officer told the BBC that IS had begun executing suspected informants as Iraqi forces pushed closer to Mosul. The officer also said IS had positioned some civilians as human shields, describing this as a sign of weakness and desperation. As the pressure increases on Mosul, IS has been carrying out more attacks in other parts of Iraq. After a major assault on the northern city of Kirkuk last week in which up to 100 people were killed, militants attacked the western town of Rutba on Sunday and overran several districts. On Monday, a police source reported continuing clashes between troops and IS militants inside Rutba despite the arrival of military reinforcements. And a Peshmerga commander said five IS militants had been killed and seven car bombs destroyed in a failed attack near the north-western town of Sinjar. Our correspondent says these diversionary tactics seem to be working. According to a Kurdish intelligence source, he adds, some 2,000 Peshmerga troops had to be pulled away from the Mosul offensive to deal with the attack on Kirkuk. (BBC)

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 28

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016

Hundreds Of Vietnam Drug Addicts Flee Rehabilitation Centre

Many suspected escapees were re-arrested but more than 200 are still at large(AFP) Police in southern Vietnam are searching for more than 200 drug addicts who broke out of a compulsory rehabilitation centre. More than 500 inmates broke out of the centre in Dong Nai

province on Sunday, some using fire extinguishers and sticks to smash walls and windows. The centre holds almost 1,500 people, which is said to be twice its capacity. Human rights groups have denounced conditions at local rehab centres and mass breakouts have occurred before. Reports on local media say residents were urged to stay indoors and lock their doors after the escapees poured on to nearby roads. Most were later captured but about 200 remained at large on Monday. A police officer said some were believed to have caught taxis and left the province. Human Rights Watch has denounced conditions in Vietnam's state-run drug rehabilitation centres, accusing them of exploiting detainees by using them as labourers. The government has rejected this, saying drug abuse has been reduced by its treatment and rehabilitation programmes. In April, more than 400 addicts fled a rehabilitation centre in the southern province of Ba Ria Vung Tau and in 2014 about the same number escaped from a facility in Hai Phong. According to officials figures there are about 200,000 drug addicts in Vietnam of which about 13,000 are in treatment centres. (BBC)

LOCAL PAGE 31

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Guyanese Better Off Under PPP- Opinion Poll

According to an opinion poll conducted by the Guyana Daily News, 96 percent of Guyanese are attributing unemployment and high crime rate to the rise in cost of living. Ninety three percent of the respondents are of the opinion that the APNU+AFC government has adopted anti-business and working class policies, such as the introduction of the parking meter fees, container taxes, increase in property taxes, etc. which will deﬁnitely aﬀect the working class citizens of the country.

The majority of the poll shows that people had a better standard of living under the previous People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration and that their spending power was much greater, because unemployment ﬁgures were low; 89 percent of the total respondents said that they have been out of a job since the new government took oﬃce. When asked if the government is managing the country in a transparent and prudent manner, majority of the respondents said “no”. A great percentage of the business community said that the economy is underperforming, especially in the manufacturing and retail sector; 75 percent of service providers in the

Georgetown area also said that revenue has declined over the past year and was forced to lay off staff. Many manufacturers and producers have indicated that continuing production is a farfetched reality presently. When asked: “Are you better off under the present administration?” Fifteen percent responded in the positive, while 10 percent say they are the same; however, 75 percent say that they are worst off under the present APNU+AFC Coalition government when compared to the previous government.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Roadside Dealing Of Pesticides Is Illegal very often the Board is not aware of the products being oﬀered for sale by street vendors and would not know what is in them. “Those pesticide products selling on the road, it’s illegal to purchase them.

The Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB) says the purchase of pesticides and other toxic chemicals from roadside vendors is dangerous to health and against the law. The law requires vendors to be certiﬁed before they sell. Chemist II of the PTCCB, Morris Solomon said that the PTCCB ought to clear pesticides and chemicals coming into the country but

You do ﬁnd vendors from time to time still selling the rat bait and so on and even in our enforcement activities we get them oﬀ tomorrow, two more would come. If you are going to purchase a pesticide, if you are going to purchase rat bait, if you are going to purchase ant bait, go to those legal vendors out there,” Solomon told the Government Information Agency (GINA). Solomon said that the PTCCB continues to tackle the illegal practice with constant monitoring and enforcement activities. He said citizens need to be aware of the dangers posed to their health and called on members of the public to help in the

ﬁght against the illegal practice which can result in death and injury. He also said that said importers of pesticides need to ensure the conform with the law by registering their products with the PTCCB which does the necessary analyses before issuing a certiﬁcate approving sale of the product locally. “For a pesticide to be registered, certain administrative conditions should be met.

One in particular, they should submit a dossier of all the scientiﬁc data on that particular product which is then veriﬁed by the PTCCB in addition to other admin’ aspects of it,” the chemist explained. Persons can contact the pesticide board for information on where authorized vendors are located. This week has been designated ‘Pesticides Awareness Week’. The theme is, ‘Managing pesticides responsibly – adapt to climate change’.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

GDF Ranks Complain Of Mistreatment Guyana Daily News about the unfair treatment they are receiving, especially as it relates to meals. Recently a picture was posted on Facebook by a GDF rank showing the quality of meals they are receiving. However, Chief of Staﬀ of the GDF, Brigadier George Lewis, has denied claims that the army is mistreating the soldiers.

Meals served by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Many ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) have complained to the

In an article published by the State newspaper, Brigadier Lewis said that the particular picture broke army’s protocol with regards to meals and was therefore treated accordingly. “The incident occurred because those ranks — and we know who they are — arrived at the

dining hall after the speciﬁc lunch period,” Brigadier Lewis told the Guyana Chronicle. He further told the newspaper that he would normally partake in the meals of the army.

“As Chief of Staff, I eat most times lunch, meals on the base…from time to time breakfast; but I would say to you (that) I have no difficulty eating the meals in the GDF, and I would say to you it is of high quality,” he was quoted by the newspaper as saying. Meanwhile, some ranks told the Guyana Daily News that there have been many reports of mistreatment by the military towards its soldiers; in one instance a soldier reported that he was whipped with a metal pipe, slashed across the left heel and shocked about the body during interrogation over a missing AK-47 rifle by officers of the GDF.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Prince Harry To Visit Guyana.

Prince Harry Britain’s Prince Harry is slated to visit Guyana from the 2-4 Decmber, 2016. Prince Harry’s visit to Guyana will coincide with the country’s 50th year of Independence. His Royal Highness will take in some of the natural sights of the Hinterland, as well as witnessing how eco-tourism and a focus on conservation have changed the lives of the people in this area. British High Commissioner to Guyana Gregg Quinn in a press release said “I am happy that we are now able to conﬁrm the dates of Prince Harry’s visit at the start of December. Further details on the programme will follow in due course, but we are excited that the Prince will also be able to travel into the Hinterland, as well as undertaking activities in Georgetown.” A Kensington Palace Spokesperson said: “Prince Harry is honoured to be representing The Queen, in the year of her 90th birthday, particularly as Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados and Guyana mark their own important anniversaries of

independence. “Prince Harry holds special memories of his last visit to the Caribbean, and of the warmth, friendliness and sense of fun that comes so naturally to this region. His Royal Highness is greatly looking forward to meeting more of the people who call it home, and for the opportunity during this tour to be visiting some countries for the first time. "This visit will allow Prince Harry to experience more of the unique and individual cultures and traditions of these special Commonwealth Realms and countries. His Royal Highness is grateful to have the chance to visit nations that play such important roles in the Commonwealth, and have extended such warmth to his family for many years.” The Royal tour will begin in Antigua and Barbuda, which is one of three countries Prince Harry will visit that is marking a significant independence anniversary in 2016. His Royal Highness will then undertake a number of day trips to nearby countries including St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada. There, Prince Harry will take the opportunity to learn more about local projects and initiatives, including those focusing on conservation, youth empowerment, and sport for social development. It will continue in Barbados, which is celebrating its 50th year of Independence. Prince Harry is looking forward to joining the many thousands of Barbadians who will be celebrating this occasion. His Royal Highness will also visit a number of charities and organisations in Barbados which carry out important work to address social issues that affect the region. On Her Majesty's behalf, Prince Harry will unveil a number of dedications to The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy, a forestry project which invites Commonwealth countries to dedicate indigenous forest to be preserved in perpetuity for future generations. The first dedication was unveiled by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in the Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia on their recent tour to Canada

PAGE 35

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

PPP/C Protests $7B Budgets Cuts For Constitutional Agencies

Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira The Opposition People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) on Monday criticized the government for reducing funding for several constitutional agencies, stating that the party does not support the presentation of an early budget. The PPP is of the view that the government is attempting to escape scrutiny of its policies and decisions by presenting an early budget. Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, along with former Junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill, accused the government of attempting to undermine the constitutional bodies. “The

APNU+AFC is seeking to avoid scrutiny and the way that they are doing is by emasculating them and short changing these constitutional bodies,” said Edghill. Teixeira explained that for several of the agencies such as Auditor General’s Office, Indigenous People’s Commission, and the Guyana Elections Commission, the estimates represents a reduction of what was requested. She said some of the monies have been reduced to reflect not only less than what was requested for 2017 but also less than what was approved in 2016. “Slashing of the requested budget to less than what was received in 2016 is highly unacceptable,” Ms. Teixeira said. The PPP/C Member of Parliament revealed that the GYD$11.2 billion that have been allocated to agencies represents a total cut by GYD$7 billion. “This is a clear case of abuse of the letter and spirit of the constitution,” she added. The PPP is of the view that Finance Minister, Winston Jordan must explain the cut to the Auditor General’s Chambers which recently clashed with the Finance ministry over the “misuse” of the contingency fund and other observations about the way government spent funds in 2015. Edghill also highlighted that monies were set aside for several non-functioning agencies such as the Public Service Tribunal, the Public Procurement Commission, the Human Rights Commission and the Office of the Ombudsman. He also questioned how the Finance Minister arrived at a budget of GD$76 million for Public Procurement Commission which is still not official establish, when the commissioners are yet to meet with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to discuss their needs. The opposition opined that it will not be able to examine and compare the actual expenditure for 2016 since the 2017 budget will be presented and debated while the 2016 budget is still being implemented.

PAGE 36

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

GPF Response To Newspaper Article The Guyana Police Force is responding to an article published in yesterday’s Kaieteur News Edition under the caption “Man charged with businesswoman’s murder was in jail when she was slain”. The Force wishes to acknowledge that while it is true that the accused was indeed imprisoned at the time of the murder, he and the other accused whilst incarcerated “conspired” and “hatched” the plan to execute the crime,

which he admitted under caution. Legal advice was sought and obtained, resulted in the institution of the joint capital charge. So to say in the article that the police may have made a major blunder in their investigations, is an incorrect statement. Guyana Police Force Press Release

Barama Employees Charged With Two Counts Of Murder Twenty-ﬁve-year old Roberto Miggins and 32-year-old Quacy Benjamin appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court jointly charged with two counts of murder, which they allegedly committed between October 12 and 13, 2016 and on October 14, 2016. They were remanded until November 2, 2016 when they will return before the Matthew’s Ridge Magistrate’s Court. The two were unrepresented and were not allowed to plead to the charges. The court heard that Roberto works with Barama Company Ltd and Benjamin is the father of two, who operates machinery for the same company. It is alleged that between October 12 and 13, 2016 at 10 Miles Backdam, the duo murdered Mario Hussain. It is further

alleged that on October 14, 2016 in the vicinity of the same location they murdered Hilary Smith during the course of a robbery.

PAGE 37

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Fake Brands Affecting Legit Businesses

As businesses around Guyana continue to bemoan the current economic standstill, there have been reports of an increase in the number of retailers who have taken to scandalous paths to import falsiﬁed products and brand it as genuine. This newspaper understands

that there are numerous cases of retail stores passing off fake brands of ‘Makeup’ as genuine, which can have serious medical effects. In addition, such ‘fake’ entities tend to have a major negative effect on the legit businesses that import the high quality brands, given the fact that there is a huge cost difference. There are reports of cosmetic stalls which are said to have fake products on the ground floor of the Giftland mall while there are cell phone dealers in the multiplex mall in Georgetown who are allegedly involved in the sale of substandard items Meanwhile, there is also an increase in the number of fake electronics imported in the country.

There is no doubt that we live in an era where the average person has a smartphone worth an entire month’s salary and cannot move an inch without it. As such, there are businesses which capitalise on the minimal knowledge that the average person has on whether the phone they purchase is fake or genuine and again this is aﬀecting business places that are importing the genuine products. Businessmen have bemoaned the situation and are calling on the relevant authorities to step in and ﬁx the current situation which they hope will turn business around.

Crane Resident To Face Six Charges Of Robbery Maxwel Elcock of 286 Crane Village, West Coast Demerara, who is a suspect in the robbery at the popular Sunbeam Hangout Bar in Vreed-en-Hoop WCD, is to face six counts of robbery. On October 18 at around 19:30h, two armed men descended upon the bar and robbed the establishment and its customers of a quantity of cash and alcohol. Reports stated that two armed men entered the bar as customers to purchase cigarettes and after purchasing the item,

the men then pulled out their hand guns and ordered everyone to keep quiet and to hand over their valuables. According to manager of the establishment, Yodeshwar Chetram, the gunmen then demanded that he hand over cash and alcohol. According to one eyewitness, “the two guys purchased a $100 Bristol and when they came out back outside, they had the customers already at gunpoint.” Some $60,000 and car keys were taken from the

customers. Reports further stated that the two men then made good their escape in a waiting white heavily tinted 212 motor car.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Mash 2017 Launch Set For This Thursday (Georgetown, October 25 th , 2016) – Main Street will be electrified this Thursday when the Ministry of Education, Department of Culture, Youth and Sport officially launches the Mash 2017 celebrations. Next year will mark Guyana’s 46 th Republic Anniversary. Prior to the official launching ceremony, there will be a mini masquerade and costume parade from the National library to the Ministry. There will also be performances in dance and song by popular artistes. The National Steel Orchestra and a Masquerade Band and Drummers from Linden will also be performing. The high point of the launch will be the unveiling of the new Mash 2017 logo and the announcement of the winner of the theme competition. This event will be held at the Ministry of Education, Department of Culture, Youth and Sport on Main Street and will commence at 17:00hrs (05:00pm). The public is invited to attend. Importantly, no south bound traffic will

be allowed from Quamina and Main between the hours of 15:00hrs and 20:00hrs. Ministry of Education Press Release

Camp Street Vendor Remanded On ‘Ganja’ Charge

Dwayne McFarley appeared in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court charged with being in possession of cannabis with the intent of traﬃcking, which occurred on October 20, 2016 in Georgetown. The accused was

remanded and is slated to return before the court on November 7, 2016. Represented before the court, McFarley pleaded not guilty to the charge as his attorney made an application for bail stating that the accused is only 21-years-old and is a vendor on Camp Street. The Attorney also noted that on the day in question the said narcotics were not found on McFarley but was in fact found in a garbage bag next to the place where McFarley operates. However police prosecution objected to the application citing the seriousness of the offence and further denied the Attorney’s defense. It is alleged that on the day in question, officers acting on information and raided the place at which the accused operates and found a bulky plastic bag which contained the narcotics. McFarley allegedly told the officers that “it’s just a little hustle.”

PAGE 39

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

New Town Clerk For Bartica New Town Clerk for Bartica

The town of Bartica has announced the appointment of Ms. Phebe Wallerson who will serve in the capacity of Town Clerk of the Municipality. Reacting to her appointment, Wallerson said she is humbled and honoured to have been given to opportunity to serve in the town of her birth, a release from the Ministry of Communities noted. The Town Clerk noted that while she is fully aware of the volume of challenges facing the town, she is reassured by the fact that there is much potential in Bartica’s natural and human resources. “I choose to invest in looking towards all of our potential instead. I see so much potential on account of the support and dedication shown to us by Central Government and the David Granger Administration,” the town clerk said. She expressed conﬁdence in what she termed the “superb

leadership” of the Mayor Giﬀord Marshall and Deputy Mayor, Kamal Persaud adding that she is greatly motivated by the strength and hard work of the council. “I pledge to give of my energies and ingenuity as I rely on the wisdom of the law, the goodness of the Bartician Spirit and the love I have for the people,” Wallerson stated. According to the release, her vision is to see Bartica advancing in steady strides towards becoming a township that oﬀers its citizens the comfort of modernized living. “Having and utilising the full potential of all the resources the town possesses while simultaneously engaging in sustainable, environmental practices, I envisage ion Bartica advancing towards being a unique tourist destination,” the new Town Clerk predicted. Wallerson, who holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Biology from the University of Guyana, brings to the post a wealth of administrative experience, having spent the last four years overseeing the Guyana Red Cross Resilience Project in Bartica. Wallerson is also writer, blogger and poet, stressed that despite the town’s various teething issues, such a statusquo is quite normal for a municipality in its infancy.

PAGE 40

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

REGIONAL TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Brazil Man Freed 'After 20 Years Held By Family’

Mr Andrade was weak but showed no signs of having been beaten(GUARULHOS POLICE) Brazilian police have rescued a man who neighbours said had

been held in captivity by his own family for more than 20 years. The 36-year-old was found by chance during an unrelated antidrug raid in a poor area of the city of Guarulhos. Police said he was malnourished and had signs of mental health problems. Neighbours said he was an outgoing student who was regularly beaten by his stepmother before he suddenly disappeared when he was 16. He has been identified as Armando Bezerra de Andrade. He was taken to a local hospital in the south-eastern city and police said he was unable to talk. Pictures of the room where the man was found showed only a bed and a dirty toilet. Reports said the walls had chains. There was no-one else in the house when the police stormed it. Neighbours said the man's father, stepmother and her son used to live there. Mr Andrade's father later went to a police station and told officers that the victim had fled the house when he was a teenager. He returned last week, the father claimed, asking to be kept by the family in the room because he was a drug user. Tests will now determine if there was any recent use of drugs or medicine. Police said the father, who was not arrested, was being charged with false imprisonment. The investigation continues. (BBC)

REGIONAL

GUYANA DAILY NEWS At Least 800,000 Haitians In Dire Need Of Immediate Assistance, Says UN PAGE 41

PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti -- An assessment conducted by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), together with the Haitian government and its National Coordination for Food Security (CNSA), has determined that, in the wake of Hurricane Matthew, some 1.4 million people are in need of food assistance, 800,000 of whom are in a dire situation. The emergency survey was conducted one week after the Category 4 storm, which devastated supplies and crops across the island. Fifty percent of livestock was lost and agriculture has been virtually wiped out in the Department of Grande-Anse, a department in the southwest. Along the southern coast, fishing has been rendered impossible, as flooding has washed away nets, traps, boats, and engines. Without fishing income, families have no money to buy food. Moreover, in the Department of Sud, just south of Grande-Anse, subsistence crops are gone. Ninety percent of the forest and fruit trees in the department were severely damaged, and the remaining ten percent are unlikely to be productive in the coming season. “Local products on the markets will soon be depleted and we need more funding in order to continue food distributions to help 800,000 people in need of food aid which is more than urgent,” Miguel Barreto, the regional director in Latin America and the Caribbean for WFP, announced in a news release. With the winter crop season approaching, the situation for agricultural producers who have lost everything is desperate. “If we don’t act now to provide them with seed, fertilizer, and other materials they need, they will not be able to plant and will be faced with persisting food insecurity,” urged FAO’s representative in Haiti, Nathanaël Hishamunda. FAO is committed to working with Haiti’s ministry of agriculture in order to implement the emergency response plan, which will

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

focus on helping people resume agricultural activities and improving food security in rural areas. While the southern part of Haiti has seen some of the worst devastation, elsewhere between 60 and 90 percent of crops have been destroyed. In the Department of Artibonite, 60 to 80 percent of livestock were wiped out, and the assessment found a 40 percent trade loss for ﬁshing communities in the Department of Sud-Est. In order to meet the food assistance needs in Haiti, the humanitarian community requires an additional $56 million over the next three months. (Caribbean News Now!)

A man works to clear downed trees from his property near the western town of Leoganne, after Hurricane Matthew made landfall in Haiti. He lost his crops and livestock. Photo: UN/MINUSTAH/Logan Abassi

REGIONAL PAGE 42

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

St Lucia PM Did All He Could To Undermine Citizenship Programme, Opposition Alleges CASTRIES, St Lucia -- The opposition Saint Lucia Labour • Which promoter is recommending changes to the existing Party (SLP) said in a press statement that, while leader of the United Workers Party (UWP) in opposition, newly elected Prime Minister Allen Chastanet did all he could to undermine the country’s recently launched citizenship by investment programme (CIP). “He criticised the programme all over the world, even when the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other institutions praised the design of the CIP. The CIP has only being operating for ten months and was severely aﬀected by the public pronouncements of the prime minister when he was in opposition,” the SLP said. The opposition party called on Chastanet to be open and transparent with the CIP and provide the public with all the proposed changes to the existing legislative framework for discussion. “The Labour Party is of the view that the programme should be allowed to operate for some time before there is any restructuring or relaunch with the existing legislative framework,” the SLP said. Additionally, the SLP called on the prime minister to inform the public of: • How many citizenships have been granted? • What has the monies being used for? • Which new projects have been granted CIP approval status? • What are the deﬁciencies of the programme as designed? • What are the proposed changes; and

legislation? The Labour Party said the public must be involved in the decision making process, as was done by the SLP when in government, because of the immense sensitivity of the programme. (Caribbean News Now!)

Prime Minister Allen Chastanet

REGIONAL PAGE 43

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Shareholder Lawsuit Against Bahamas Utility Management Contractor Continues By Caribbean News Now contributor RALEIGH, USA -- The lead plaintiff in a shareholder class action against PowerSecure International Inc. has filed a notice of appeal in the US District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina against the court’s decision last month to grant the defendants' motion to dismiss the action. In February, the government of The Bahamas signed a controversial five-year management services agreement with PowerSecure for a minimum of $10 million and possibly as much as $25 million, to manage electricity generation, transmission and distribution for Bahamas Power and Light (BPL), a new power company wholly owned by the debt-strangled Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC). BPL has been mandated to reduce the cost of electricity and bring about a more reliable service. The base compensation for the five-year contract is $2 million per year, and BPL must achieve predefined key performance indicators (KPIs) related to cost reductions, reliability improvements and customer service enhancements in order for PowerSecure to receive “potential additional performance-based compensation”. The Bahamas government entered into the agreement with PowerSecure after a lengthy and controversial bidding process and despite the fact that almost two years earlier an investor in shares of PowerSecure filed a lawsuit against the company over alleged violations of federal securities laws in connection with allegedly false and misleading statements made between March 10, 2014 through May 7, 2014. The plaintiff claimed that the defendants made allegedly materially false and/or misleading statements by misrepresenting and failing to disclose certain adverse facts, including that PowerSecure lacked the experience and internal controls necessary to expand its distributed generation business into larger contracts. The allegedly false and misleading statements and omissions led to the stock being traded at artificially inflated prices. Once the truth was revealed to the market, PowerSecure common stock plummeted over 68 percent in the space of one week, causing losses to the members of the shareholder class. The choice to bring in a company encumbered by securities fraud lawsuits was justified at the time by Prime Minister Perry Christie saying that he had gone to the highest levels of the US government to assure himself of the company’s integrity. Those assurances were apparently given by US Secretary of State John Kerry Also, the US Embassy took the unusual step of publicly commenting on the selection of PowerSecure. In a statement by US chargé d’affaires Lisa Johnson, the embassy applauded the announcement “that the government has agreed to engage in final negotiations with US-based PowerSecure on the content of an agreement to restructure and manage the Bahamas

Electricity Corporation.” At the time, the State Department deflected requests for comment from Caribbean News Now to the Department of Commerce, which also failed to respond to such requests. Furthermore, over one year later, the State Department has likewise failed to respond substantively to a request for relevant records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Some local observers of the bidding process pointed to a possible conflict of interest between a BEC board member and his brother, one of the cabinet group choosing the successful bidder. BEC has itself been plagued with controversy over the years. Constant power outages, threats of strikes and protests by the Bahamas Workers and Electrical Union and a belated payment of some $100,000 for past due electrical bills by companies connected to its then chairman were just some of the events that engulfed the debt-ridden company, prompting some local residents to refer to BEC as “Buy Enough Candles”. Then, just over two weeks after PowerSecure International signed the management agreement with The Bahamas government, the company was sold to Atlanta-based Southern Company for $431 million. Under the terms of the deal, PowerSecure became a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company. According to local media, The Bahamas government was completely unaware at the time that PowerSecure was at the same time discussing terms of a potential acquisition. BEC is also no stranger to bribery allegations and earlier this year local businessman Fred Ramsey was convicted of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes to steer government contracts to a French power company. While a member of the board of BEC, Ramsey was paid $221,457 for his help in influencing the award of a contract for generators to Alstom Espana SA. (Caribbean News Now!)

Prime Minister Perry Christie was joined by numerous cabinet ministers, BLP and PowerSecure representatives at the signing of the management services contract agreement between Bahamas Power and Light Company Limited BPL) and PowerSecure in February. Seated from the left are Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis, Prime Minister Perry Christie and PowerSecure CEO Sidney Hinton. Photo: Ahvia J. Campbell

REGIONAL PAGE 44

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Suriname Offers Many Opportunities For Trade And Investments, Foreign Minister Tells OIC Meeting By Ray Chickrie Caribbean News Now contributor TASHKENT, Uzbekistan -- The foreign minister of Suriname, Niermala Badrising, told a gathering of the 43rd Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers meeting last Tuesday in Uzbekistan that her country “offers many opportunities for trade and investments”, and called for “greater solidarity” among developing countries which, she said, is a principal tenet of her government’s foreign policy. Badrising again avoided contentious conflicts facing the Muslim world and instead used her trademark “soft diplomacy” to continue her push to forge stronger economic relations with the OIC and member states. “Suriname foresees that these opportunities can be utilized as we further strengthen bilateral and intra-OIC cooperation, and continue to collaborate with other OIC member states in the multilateral arena,” Badrising said. “We view South-South cooperation as an important vehicle for sustainable development,” she added, noting that it’s within this context that her government is exploring the many “possibilities which may be available for triangular cooperation with other member states within the ambit of the OIC.” She told the gathering that Suriname “has vast reserves of natural resources, such as gold, bauxite, oil and other minerals, and has the availability of an abundance of arable farmland and freshwater resources”. According to Badrising, Suriname is fast forwarding efforts and new legislation to diversify its commodity-dependent economy and is looking to attract more direct foreign investments from OIC countries, and acknowledged that the Islamic Development Bank, an organ of the OIC, is emerging as Suriname’s the major financing partner in Suriname’s “efforts to advance sustained growth and sustainable development in the country”. She also reminded OIC foreign ministers that Suriname is now the first country on the South American continent with certified Islamic banking,

“which was realized with the assistance of the relevant bodies of the OIC.” Suriname is looking to cooperate with Bahrain in this sector. “With the certiﬁcation of one our private banks – the Trustbank – and with the support of the private sector, Suriname is now set to become the gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean for trade and Islamic banking, thus connecting the Caribbean and South America to other continents,” she said. At the sidelines of the meeting, Badrising held bilateral meetings with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Indonesia, and the Maldives. (Caribbean News Now!)

Suriname Foreign Minister Niermala Badrising (L) meeting with the Minister of Foreign Aﬀairs of the Maldives, Dr Mohamed Asim, in Tashkent

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS Partnership Key For Success In Caribbean Agro-sector, Says CTA Director PAGE 45

By Ivan Cairo Caribbean News Now contributor GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands -- According to Michael Hailu, director of the Technical Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (CTA), “Partnership is the key to success in transforming Caribbean agriculture to meet growing local needs and penetrate into international markets.” On Monday, at the kick-off of the Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA-2016) in the Cayman Islands, he stressed that development partners such as CTA need to work with the private sector, smallholder producers, the tourism and hospitality industry, financiers, researchers and innovators and policymakers to create a modern, vibrant and resilient agri-food sector that will produce healthy, nutritious food and jobs for young people. “Marketed and distributed properly, quality fresh and value-added agri-food products can be dynamic sources of jobs and income – if only the people behind these enterprises can access the finance and business development support they need to turn them into profitable ventures,” said Hailu. While agriculture has been identified as the key driver for development in the Caribbean, the food import bill of the region is increasing annually, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) official Desiree Field-Ridley said. She further noted that one of the key constraints is financing for agriculture development and transportation. The official argued that since CARICOM is seeking to establish a single economic space the intention is to make the whole space viable for competitive production and foreign investors and make the region more resilient. “Agriculture is a key driver for CARICOM,” Field-Ridley said. She mentioned that the regional body, in close cooperation with member states, has developed various strategies and policies on the national level “all in the interest of making our environment more attractive to investments”. Cayman Islands’ agriculture minister Kurt Tibbets argued that, in order to create more value in the regional agro-sector, government should create an environment that is attractive for investors. The minister further claimed that, while agriculture in the

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Cayman Islands in comparison to other countries in the region is on a relatively small scale, it is “fast becoming an industry to be reckoned with”. Tibbets further noted that the success of agriculture in the Caribbean depends on investment, finance and several facilities and services such as irrigation and storage. “The challenge is to attract investors to create jobs,” he said. Director of the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), Barton Clarke, warned however that taking into account certain developments that are taking place on the geo-political level, investing in agriculture is imperative for food security in the Caribbean. Therefore institutions that support development of agriculture in the region should become more efficient and effective. There should also be mechanisms in place to support smallholders especially to have more access to financing. “We cannot ignore that large group of small farmers that we have,” Clarke said. According to the CARDI official, investments should not only focus on making profits, but there should be more investments in education programs. It’s also important Clarke argued that there is more investment in political will. “We need to have some political will that drive us in the right director,” he said. The week-long event under the theme ‘Investing in Food and Agriculture’ will conclude on Saturday, 28 October. (Caribbean News Now!)

CTA's director Michael Hailu addressing the plenary session on Monday at the opening of the Caribbean Week of Agriculture 2016 in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. Photo: Ivan Cairo

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS CDB Approves Loan To Upgrade Water Systems In Dominica PAGE 46

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados -- On October 13, 2016, the board of directors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) approved an additional loan of US$3 million to the government of Dominica to support the development of a reliable potable water supply for persons within the Water Area-1 (WA-1) network in that country. WA-1 is the most important water system in Dominica, serving approximately 36 percent of the population. CDB had previously approved a loan to Dominica in 2012, to upgrade its water supply systems. This additional loan will assist in integrating climate-change resiliency in the design of the project, drawing on lessons learnt by the passage of Tropical Storm Erika in 2015. “Tropical Storm Erika caused extensive damage to the water and sewage system in Dominica. It also led to the need to look at the existing infrastructure in that country, and reinforced the need for climate change resilience to be built into design standards and specifications. This loan supports the revisions needed to ensure that Dominica’s water supply system is less susceptible to natural disasters,” said Daniel Best, director of projects, CDB. When completed, it is expected that approximately 25,000 people will benefit from the project. The majority will be in the capital, Roseau, in the parish of St George, with the remainder spread across the western sections of St Paul and St Joseph and the entire parish of St Luke. St George had the largest number of affected communities as a result of Erika. It also encompasses the country’s main health care, residential, commercial and industrial centers. The project is expected to be completed in 2018. It is being executed by the Dominica Water and Sewerage Company (DOWASCO). (Caribbean News Now!)

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS BVI To Host Launch Of CAPE Financial Services Syllabus PAGE 47

ROAD TOWN, BVI -- The ministry of education and culture in the British Virgin Islands will host the launch of the new financial services syllabus for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) on Thursday, 3 November 2016. Dr Kedrick Pickering, acting premier of the BVI, will deliver the feature address, while Myron Walwyn, minister of education and Culture will deliver an address. Lorna Smith, director of BVI Finance, the marketing and promotions arm of the BVI financial services sector will be the guest speaker, representing the financial services sector in the British Virgin Islands. Dr Janet Smith, president of the H Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC), will also give remarks, along with Glenroy Cumberbatch, registrar of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC). Dr Anette Piper, assistant registrar in the syllabus and curriculum development division will give an overview of the CAPE financial services syllabus and the processed used to develop the syllabus. The Caribbean Development Export Agency has stated that the financial services sector is the second largest contributor to gross domestic product (GDP) in the Caribbean region. In 2011, the financial services sector contributed over 20 percent to GDP in Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis and St Lucia, all countries served by CXC. As a region, the financial services sector contributed 17 percent of GDP to the CARIFORUM region in 2011. “Subjects such as financial services and other New Generation CAPE subjects empower persons leaving the education system to contribute immediately to the economies of the region either with a skill or with knowledge that is applicable to income-generating sectors,” Cumberbatch stated. “The figures attributed to Caribbean Export demonstrate the relevance and importance of financial services to the Caribbean and this is the direction CXC is heading; introducing subjects that are relevant,

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

and hold entrepreneurial potential for Caribbean people.” The CAPE Financial Services syllabus aims to promote an awareness of the international importance of the financial services industry; create awareness of the impact of offshore financial service policies on the Caribbean; help students understand the impact of globalization and the global financial industry on the Caribbean; help students understand the value of the customers and information systems in the financial services industry; develop the capacity for critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, leadership and management, positive cooperative behaviours, emotional intelligence, entrepreneurial skills and technological competence through authentic learning experiences; and, integrate information, communication and technology (ICT) tools and skills. Financial services is the final CAPE New Generation subject to be launched this year; animation and game design, and green engineering were launched in Jamaica, and Guyana in March and July respectively. CAPE financial services was introduced to schools in September 2016 and the first examination will be offered in May/June 2017. (Caribbean News Now!)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Colombia’s Second Intent To End Civil War Colombia’s second intent to end civil war Peace delegates from the Colombian government and representatives of the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC) will meet this Thursday in the Ecuadorian capital of Quito, to discuss 445 propositions made by both parties, aiming to reach a new Peace Agreement to end more than half a century of civil war. According to El Expectador Colombia, President Juan Manuel Santos, announced last Sunday that former Minister of Agriculture, Juan Camilo Restrepo will be the chief negotiator of the dialogues. Members of the National Liberation Army (NLA) will be the voice of the FARC. According to Santos previous declarations, it is ‘vital’ that the dialogues are focused on the people’s necessities and the requirements of the FARC to fulfill such. The first Peace Agreement was successfully accomplished by the Colombian Government and the ‘Guerrilla’ on September 26th in Habana, Cuba after 4 years of dialogues. But more than the 50 %, of the population in the country voted against the agreement on October 2nd. Leaving the country in an atmosphere of confusion and instability. The Colombian Conflict began approximately in 1964. This was a military campaign between the Colombian government, paramilitary groups, crime syndicates and left-wing guerrillas, such as the FARC, and the National Liberation Army (ELN), fighting each other to increase their influence in Colombian territory. The FARC has been accused of committing violations of human rights by numerous groups, massive drug trafficking and terrorism. More than 220,000 persons have lose their lives since the conflict started. Most of them civilians. Santos also pointed how the alliance between the FARC and the government can only be beneficial. Colombia is preparing once again to venture into a process focused in the protection of the people, responding to the necessities of the NLA and therefore the FARC. This agreement also aims to defend the democratic values ‘lost’ for more than 50 years. After this Thursday meeting, the officials will gather again in the following week to concrete any

agreements taken, as announced this Tuesday by the Ecuadorian Chancellor Mr. Guillaume Long. S o u r c e : http://www.elespectador.com/noticias/paz/estosserian-los-integrantes-de...

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and the National Liberation Army (NLA)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Third Runway At Heathrow Cleared For Takeoff By Ministers

(GETTY IMAGES) The government has approved a third runway at Heathrow to expand UK airport capacity following a cabinet committee meeting on Tuesday. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said the "truly momentous" decision would support trade and create jobs. Gatwick airport said it was disappointed with the decision, which was "not the right answer for Britain". Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson - a vocal opponent of Heathrow said a third runway was "undeliverable". A public consultation will now be held on the effects of airport expansion before the government makes a final decision as part of a national policy statement on aviation. MPs will then vote on that decision in the winter of 2017-18. It is unlikely that any new runway capacity would be operational before 2025. Construction is not likely to begin until 2020 or 2021, the Airports Commission has said. Mr Johnson, the MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip in west London, doubted whether construction would ever start: "The day when the bulldozers appear is a long way off, if indeed they ever materialise." Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, also said expanding the west London airport was the wrong decision for both London and the UK. Greenpeace UK chief John Sauven said a third runway at Heathrow would increase air pollution and "be a waste of time, money and lives". A wide range of unions and business groups welcomed the decision to expand Heathrow. TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said it was "absolutely vital for Britain", while

CBI chief Paul Drechsler said it would create jobs and boost economic growth. Heathrow management said the airport was ready to deliver a third runway that was "fair, affordable and secures the benefits of expansion for the whole of the UK". Expanding airport capacity in the South East of England has been a political hot potato for many years, which is why successive governments have attempted to duck the issue. Although Heathrow has always been the favourite among businesses, it has attracted the most opposition from MPs with constituencies near the airport or under flight paths. 'Catastrophic' A study last year led by Sir Howard Davies recommended a third runway at Heathrow, but other options included a new runway at Gatwick or extending one of Heathrow's existing runways. Zac Goldsmith, the Tory MP for Richmond Park, had threatened to resign if Heathrow expansion was approved and called the announcement "catastrophic". He is expected to make a statement later on Tuesday. The shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, whose Hayes and Harlington constituency includes Heathrow, said the announcement was the start, rather than the end, of the process. "It beggars belief that it has taken ministers over a year since the publication of the Davies report to even make that start," he said. "There is no justification for dithering on this scale." Education Secretary Justine Greening, another vocal critic of Heathrow expansion, is expected to give her reaction to her constituents in Putney, south-west London, later on Tuesday. Last week, Prime Minister Theresa May moved to head off possible Cabinet resignations by giving ministers some freedom to speak out against the decision. We have a long way to go before we see the proverbial shovels in the ground there will be legal and planning challenges aplenty to come. However, with today's decision to recommend a

third runway, this government has arrived at a point its predecessors failed to. From beating ourselves up for not being able to build anything, the UK is suddenly building everything. Heathrow was chosen because of the extra boost it gives to the UK economy, but it is not the only mammoth project out there. After a lastminute wobble, the £14bn Hinkley Point nuclear power station was given the green light, while the biggest project of them all is coming down the track fast. Construction on the £42bn HS2 is scheduled to begin next year - and that is probably not all. Chancellor Philip Hammond has hinted he may reveal some moderate borrowing to fund targeted infrastructure spending in his Autumn Statement next month. It's enough to make the Victorians sit up and take notice. If projections for a fairly sharp post-Brexit slowdown in the economy next year are correct then we may need this spending boost. If these projects proceed on time, there is something else we will need: people to build all this stuff. With unemployment close to historic lows, it's not clear we have enough. Like the Victorians did, it seems very likely we will need to look abroad to find the workers for our golden age of infrastructure - and that, postBrexit, will present a political rather than an engineering challenge. Willie Walsh, chief executive of British Airways owner IAG, welcomed the decision to expand Heathrow but added: "The government's directive to cap customer charges at today's level is fundamental. Heathrow is the world's most expensive hub airport so it's critical that new capacity is affordable." His counterpart at Virgin Atlantic, Craig Kreeger, described the announcement as an exciting opportunity to radically transform airline competition at the UK's main airport". The airline would strive to ensure that passengers were not "overburdened by paying for runways and facilities that won't be open until the mid-2020s". (BBC)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS Mosul Battle: UN Receives Reports Of IS Atrocities PAGE 50

The UN says up to 200,000 civilians could be displaced from Mosul in the next few weeks UN human rights staff have received reports of atrocities being committed by Islamic State militants as Iraqi government forces close in on Mosul. In one case, three women and three children were allegedly shot dead after trailing behind while being forced to march from one village to another. Elsewhere, 15 civilians were reportedly killed and their bodies thrown into a river in an attempt to spread terror. The UN says this reinforces fears that IS will use civilians as human shields. About 30,000 Iraqi security force personnel, Kurdish fighters, Sunni Arab tribesmen and Shia militiamen, assisted by US-led coalition warplanes and military advisers, launched the longawaited offensive to retake Mosul eight days ago. The operation is expected to take weeks, if not months, depending on how much resistance they face from the 3,000 to 5,000 militants believed to be inside Mosul. There are also an estimated 1.5 million civilians living in the city. Up to 200,000 of them could possibly be displaced in the next few weeks, according to the UN. Update on the battle for Mosul Fighting

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continues in a belt of villages to the north, east and south of the city Iraqi special forces are reportedly now 6km (4 miles) from the eastern edge of Mosul The USled coalition says it has carried out 32 air strikes on the area in a week The Iraqi security forces say they've regained control of the Rutba in the western province of Anbar, but a spokesman for the US-led coalition said fighting was still ongoing A spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Rupert Colville, told a news conference in Geneva on Tuesday that it was continuing to receive reports of depredations against children and women, as well as male civilians. "It is however hard to immediately verify all the reports we are getting, so the following examples should be treated as preliminary and not definitive," he noted. According to Mr Colville, human rights staff were informed that IS fighters had killed 15 civilians in the village of Safina, about 45km (28 miles) south of Mosul, and threw their bodies in the river. Last Wednesday, militants reportedly tied six men from the same village to a vehicle by their hands and dragged them around, apparently because they were related to a tribal leader fighting IS alongside Iraqi government forces. They were also allegedly beaten with

sticks and gun butts. The following day, Iraqi security forces reportedly discovered the bodies of 70 civilians inside houses in the village of Tuloul Naser, about 35km south of Mosul. The bodies had bullet wounds, but it is not known who was responsible. On Saturday, militants shot dead three women and three children from Rufaila, also south of Mosul, because they were trailing behind a group of other people from the same village who were being forced by IS to relocate to another area. The victims were lagging behind because one child had a disability. She was apparently among those killed. And on Sunday, members of IS are reported to have killed 50 former Iraqi police officers they had been holding in a building outside Mosul. "We very much fear that these will not be the last such reports we receive of such barbaric acts by [IS], and repeat our call on government forces and their allies to ensure their fighters do not take revenge on any of the civilians who escape from areas under IS control, and treat all suspected IS fighters they capture in accordance with international humanitarian law," said Mr Colville. (BBC)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Calais 'Jungle': Demolition Crews Pull Down Migrant Camp much more concerned about later in the week when the only ones

Some shacks were set on fire crews moved in to tear down the makeshift camp(EPA) Crews have begun dismantling the "Jungle" migrant camp in Calais with sledgehammers as its inhabitants leave by coach for other parts of France. Workers in hard hats and orange jumpsuits have been pulling down unoccupied tents and shacks by hand. More than 2,800 people have now been moved away by bus since the evictions started on Monday. The Jungle has become a key symbol of Europe's migration crisis, home to some 7,000 residents in squalid conditions. The operation to close the camp has been largely peaceful so far, but concerns remain that some migrants will refuse to give up their attempts to cross the Channel to the UK. The French authorities said they were prioritising departures on Tuesday morning, but demolition started shortly after 15:00 local time (14:00 BST). Crews tore down wooden shacks with sledgehammers and used diggers to move away debris. The work is expected to be carried out mostly by hand, and in a low-key manner, as officials believe sending in bulldozers at this point would send the wrong message to migrants. Officials are keen for them to get on buses voluntarily. The Calais police commissioner says the camp will be fully cleared by Friday and that only about 200 people are expected to try to stay. Officials say a total of more than 2,800 people have been bussed away from the camp so far. They are being taken to shelters around France, where they will be given the opportunity to claim asylum, or face deportation. More the 1,900 residents left the site voluntarily on Monday, with a further 900 boarding 23 buses on day two. At least 600 unaccompanied minors have also been taken to "provisional reception centres" within the camp. However, the charity Save the Children has voiced concern for what it says are hundreds of unaccompanied children who have been unable to register for the shelters and have nowhere safe to stay during the demolition. Christian Salome of the Auberge des Migrants charity said the process had been working well because those leaving were the ones who wanted to. But he added: "I'm

remaining are those who do not want to leave, who still want to reach England." Our correspondent Simon Jones answered your questions in a Facebook Live from Calais earlier And reporter Mohamed Madi has been covering the progress of the operation on BBC News Snapchat There are warnings that those determined to stay will set up camp in the surrounding countryside while the demolition takes place before returning to the area. Children are the only group allowed to stay in Calais. They will be housed in the camp's converted shipping containers while the rest of the Jungle is dismantled. Almost 200 children from the camp have been brought to the UK, some of them under the "Dubs" amendment to the Immigration Act, according to UK Home Secretary Amber Rudd. The amendment allows particularly vulnerable children - such as girls and those under 13 refuge in the UK, even if they do not have family already in the country. More than 1,200 police have been deployed for the clearance operation. The French interior ministry said officers "might be forced to intervene" if there was unrest during the demolition. Forty-five migrants, all young men from Afghanistan, are settling into the Miramar hotel in Saint Germain-sur-Ay, an empty holiday centre that looks out to the sea. At the local pizzeria, residents have gathered to vent their discontent. They complain that the migrants will disturb the tranquillity of the resort. They are also worried that the young men will be unsupervised and break into homes that have been closed up for the winter. Less vocal are those who don't mind the arrival of the Afghan migrants, those who think it's only human to welcome those who have spent so many months in the squalor of Calais. For the migrants, it should be a short stay. They will be encouraged to claim asylum in France and then maybe move onto more permanent housing. But even here, several hundred kilometres from Calais, the allure of the UK is still strong. From the hotel you can clearly see the island of Jersey - British shores are still within reach. Last year more than one million migrants - many fleeing the civil war in Syria - arrived in Europe. Countries struggled to cope and division arose in the EU over how best to deal with resettling people. An EU-Turkey pact to try to stop migrants crossing to Greece and moves by Balkan nations to close their borders have driven down the number of people using the so-called eastern Mediterranean route. However, migrants from African countries such as Eritrea and Somalia as well as West African nations such as Nigeria and the Gambia are continuing to attempt the crossing from Libya to Italy. The Jungle camp is near the port of Calais and close to the 31-mile Channel Tunnel Officially about 7,000 migrants live in the camp. The Help Refugees agency said the final population ahead of its demolition was 8,143 The camp was halved in area earlier this year but the population continued to rise, and reports of violence have increased Many migrants attempt to hide themselves in cargo vehicles entering the Channel Tunnel The area has been hit by protests from both locals and truck operators (BBC)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Dreamworld: Four Killed On Australian Theme Park Ride investigation. The theme park, 48km (30 miles) south of Brisbane,

Visitors streamed away from Dreamworld after the accident(ABC/AP) Two men and two women have been killed on a ride at a theme park on Australia's east coast. Two victims were thrown from a raft on the Thunder River Rapids ride at Dreamworld on Queensland's Gold Coast, while two others were trapped inside, officials said. The park in Coomera has been closed and an investigation is under way. Dreamworld bills itself as Australia's biggest theme park with more than 50 rides and attractions. The Thunder River Rapids ride whisks visitors in circular rafts along a fast-moving artificial river. Dreamworld describes it as a "moderate thrill" attraction. Queensland Ambulance spokesman Gavin Fuller blamed a "malfunction" for the accident. Thunder River Rapids ride Ride opened in 1986 Billed by Dreamworld as a family ride, riders must be older than two Park says it allows riders to "travel down a foamy water track past the Gold Rush Country" Ride carries up to six people per car, travelling at up to 45km/h (28mph) through rapids The victims have not been named but are reported to be two women aged 32 and 42 and two men aged 38 and 35. Australia's 9News reported that they were p o s s i b l y f r o m t h e s a m e f a m i l y. Eyewitness Lisa Capes told Australian broadcaster ABC that she saw people running away from the ride crying. "I was speaking to one of the guys and he said it was the raft or the boat thing in front of him, the whole thing flipped and everyone was screaming," she said. Queensland police spokesman Todd Reid said investigators were reviewing CCTV footage of the incident while crews worked to remove the bodies from the scene. "It is a complex retrieval involving heavy equipment and that will take several hours," he said. He added he was not aware of any earlier problems with the ride, although that would form part of the

said it was "working as quickly as possible to establish the facts around the incident and is working closely with emergency authorities and police to do this." Craig Davidson, head of Ardent Theme Parks, said they were "deeply shocked and saddened" by the incident. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said he was "very saddened to learn of the tragic accident". "Theme parks are a place for family fun and happiness, not tragedy," he said. Worst amusement park accidents Eight teenagers killed in a 1984 fire in US at the Six Flags Great Adventure amusement park in New Jersey. Arsonists believed to have started the blaze in "haunted house" Six people died in failed simulated rocket launch in Shenzhen, China, in 2010. One of the cars on the centrifuge ride became loose, lost power and ride fell to the ground in flames with 44 people inside Five children killed when Battersea Park Big Dipper malfunctioned in UK in 1972. Rope hauling cars to top of launch slope broke and safety mechanism failed, causing cars to roll into boarding area Three died at Galaxyland Amusement Park in Alberta, Canada, in 1986. Last car on four-car train on the Mindbender triple loop ride came away from track, throwing off passengers before crashing into concrete pillar One person died in rollercoaster accident at Expoland in Osaka, Japan, in 2007; another killed at Darien Lake theme park in New York State, US, in 2011 Sixteen people including two teenage girls who needed leg amputations - injured at UK's Alton Towers park in 2015. Engineers failed to notice a stationary car on the 14-loop Smiler ride and overrode the stop mechanism, sending the next car into it Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said a thorough investigation would be held into the "horrific, horrific scene". "This has been an absolute tragedy, a tragic accident at Dreamworld where many thousands of people go on a daily basis," she said. (BBC)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Which Country Is The Most Generous In The World?

Despite the violence in Iraq, they are considered the most welcoming people in the world(REUTERS) A war-torn state and a country ruled by an oppressive military junta for decades are home to the world's most generous people, research suggests. People in Iraq are the kindest to strangers, while Myanmar's residents give the most away, according to the CAF World Giving Index 2016. In the last month, eight in 10 Iraqis have helped someone they don't know, with Libyans helping almost as many. During the same period, 91% of those in Myanmar have given money to charity. In comparison, 63% of Americans - the second most generous overall - have donated money, with 73% helping a stranger. The annual ranking places Myanmar, previously known as Burma, at the top of the list for the third year in a row, with more than half the population donating time and 63% helping a stranger. The report said the generous giving reﬂected the practice of

"Sangha Dana", where the country's Theravada Buddhist majority donate to support those living a monastic lifestyle. The overall table, which takes into account financial donations, help offered to strangers and volunteering, ranks the UK as the most generous place in Europe, the United Arab Emirates in the Middle East, Kenya in Africa and Guatemala in Latin America. China is named as the least generous country. However, the poll only takes into account the responses of 1,000 people on average in each of the 140 countries, and the Charities Aid Foundation acknowledges there is margin for error. But it is the kindness of Iraqis and Libyans to complete strangers in the face of years of conflict and terrible violence which stands out in the list. BBC correspondents are unsurprised by the findings, as both countries have long traditions of hospitality to those they don't know. "Though often initially suspicious of foreigners they do not know, Libyans have an intrinsically generous culture," explained BBC North Africa correspondent Rana Jawad. "In my experience this became more apparent after Gaddafi was overthrown from power; decades of anti-Western rhetoric and the police-state nature pre-2011 gave a distorted impression of Libyan hospitality - they were not unkind then, but just fearful of being helpful to foreigners or Libyan strangers. "After the revolution, Libyans became vastly more welcoming of strangers and demonstrated it on every occasion they could. The persistent state of conflict since has probably contributed to the current ranking because in the absence of state authorities, civilians only have each other to turn to for help." (BBC)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Quetta Attack: Militants Kill Dozens At Balochistan Police College

More than 100 people were injured in the attack(AFP/GETTY IMAGES) At least 59 cadets and guards have been killed in an attack by militants on a police college in the Pakistani city of Quetta, officials say. Three militants wearing suicide bomb vests entered the college late on Monday, reportedly taking hostages. A major security operation lasted for hours and all attackers were killed. So-called Islamic State (IS) said its fighters had carried out the attack, although officials have blamed another militant group, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, has seen similar attacks by both separatists and various Islamist militant factions in recent years. Hundreds of trainees were evacuated from Balochistan Police College as troops arrived to repel the militants. Local media reported at least three explosions at the scene. "I saw three men in camouflage whose faces were hidden carrying Kalashnikovs," one cadet said according to AFP news agency. "They started firing and entered the dormitory but I managed to escape over a wall." The police academy is home to hundreds of students and many of the cadets who died were killed in the blasts, said Maj-Gen Sher Afghan of the Frontier Corps. This assault has clearly highlighted the woes of Pakistan's south-western city of Quetta not just because of the heavy casualties, but because it came on the very day a judicial commission investigating an earlier attack held its first hearing. That attack in August was carried out on a "soft" target - the emergency ward of a city hospital. The militants have now hit a symbol of the state, though some still consider police to be a softer target in a region where law enforcement has largely slid under the control of the military. It all comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions between Pakistan and its two neighbours, India and Afghanistan. A top military official claimed these attackers had handlers in Afghanistan. But many will point to Pakistan's own alleged use of militants as a state policy, which they say has now started to

backfire. Northern Balochistan has been home to Afghan Taliban who have long-standing links not only to elements within the Pakistani establishment but also to al-Qaeda and Pakistani Taliban groups that have since turned against Islamabad. The exact sequence of events is unclear but there was intermittent exchange of fire between the attackers and security forces for several hours, according to Dawn newspaper. There were also reports of a hostage situation. More than 100 people, mostly trainees, were injured. Pakistan's army and the paramilitary Frontier Corps took part in the military counteroperation, which Balochistan provincial home minister Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti said was now over. Two of the militants died after detonating their bomb vests and one was killed by security forces. Pakistani media highlighted the nation's poor security situation after the attack, with leading TV channels changing their logos to black in a mark of respect for the victims, Officials blamed a faction of the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi militant group and said the attackers "were in communication with operatives in Afghanistan". However, IS said on its Amaq news agency that its fighters had carried out the attack, releasing an image purported to be of the three gunmen. IS formed a branch for Afghanistan and Pakistan in January 2015 under Hafiz Saeed Khan. He was killed in a US drone strike in July this year. The first suspected IS attack in Pakistan was in April 2015, when three soldiers were killed. It then claimed an attack on a bus in Karachi that killed 45 people, although the Pakistani Taliban splinter group Jundullah also said it was responsible. IS said it also carried out a suicide bombing that killed 88 people at a hospital in Quetta in August, but that too is disputed, with another faction of the Pakistani Taliban, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, saying it was behind the attack. The Pakistani military has been conducting operations against militants in volatile tribal areas near the Afghan border. Balochistan Police College Located about 13km from Quetta city in an area called Sariab, one of the most sensitive areas of Quetta. About 600 cadets stay in dormitories at college, according to local media. It has come under attack twice before. In 2006 six policemen were killed in five powerful explosions at the academy. In 2008 gunmen fired rockets into the grounds and then attacked the college. (BBC)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Vatican Bans Cremation Ashes Scattering In New Guidelines action cannot be legitimised by an appeal to the sanitary, social, or economic motives that may have occasioned the choice of cremation." The Vatican said it was issuing the new guidelines to counter "new ideas contrary to the Church's faith" that had become widespread since 1963.

A worker collects ashes after cremation. File photo(AFP) The ashes of cremated Catholics cannot be kept at home, scattered or divided among family members, the Vatican has announced in new guidelines. The two-page instruction by the Vatican's department on doctrine said ashes of the dead must be kept in "sacred places" such as cemeteries. It also stressed that the Roman Catholic Church still preferred burials over cremations. The Vatican allowed cremation in 1963 but has always frowned on the practice. It also stressed at the time that cremation must not suggest a denial of faith about resurrection. Countering 'new ideas' "It is not permitted to scatter the ashes of the faithful departed in the air, on land, at sea or in some other way, nor may they be preserved in mementos, pieces of jewellery or other objects," said the instruction by the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. "These courses of

It said the Church could not "condone attitudes or permit rites that involve erroneous ideas about death, such as considering death as the definitive annihilation of the person, or the moment of fusion with Mother Nature or the universe, or as a stage in the cycle of regeneration, or as the definitive liberation from the 'prison' of the body". The guidelines reiterated that Catholics who chose to be cremated "for reasons contrary to the Christian faith" must be denied a Christian funeral. The Vatican also stressed that "the Church continues to prefer the practice of burying the bodies of the deceased, because this shows a greater esteem towards the deceased". Pope Francis had already approved the guidelines, the Vatican said. Fearing the impact of naturalistic ideas about the circle of life, where the body is regarded as no different to other physical matter, the Vatican has decided to clarify its position on what should happen to the remains of the dead. Cardinal Gerhard Muller, the head of the Church's powerful Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, said ashes of those cremated should be committed to a cemetery or another consecrated place. But Britain and some other western countries face a shortage of land in which to bury bodies. There are concerns this announcement will not only place financial burdens on Catholic families but also increase the pressure on cemeteries, half of which are expected to run out of space within the next 20 years. (BBC)

INTERNATIONAL

GUYANA DAILY NEWS Smartwatch Sales Show Sharp Decline, Report Finds PAGE 56

Apple Watch shipments were down by almost 72%, the report found(GETTY IMAGES) Smartwatch shipments declined by 51.6% year-on-year, according to a new report by market analysts IDC. The Apple Watch remained the market leader but it shipped just over one million units in the third quarter of 2016 (July - September). During the same period in 2015, it shipped 3.9 million. Of the five leading brands, only Garmin showed growth but its figures remained low. However, this was a period before new versions were released, experts said. Nonetheless, it still suggests that consumer appetite is weak, said Jitesh Ubrani from IDC. "It has become evident that, at present, smartwatches are not for everyone," he said. "Having a clear purpose and use case is paramount, hence many vendors are focusing on fitness due to

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

its simplicity." Apple has positioned its latest version of the Watch as a fitness device rather than a luxury fashion accessory - it discontinued the gold edition of its original wearable, which retailed at $10,000 (£8,000), last month. The new version can track swimming activity and a special edition, in partnership with fitness giant Nike, is due to go on sale on Friday, 28 October. "This latest quarter is not a true representation of what is happening with wearables," said industry analyst Ben Wood from CCS Insight. "The new Apple Watch was looming, Samsung has announced new products that are not shipping yet and Google has delayed the next release of Android Wear." IDC looked only at smartwatch brands which run third-party apps in its market report. It found that: Apple's year-on-year decline in terms of its Watch device shipments was 71.6% Garmin was the only brand to show growth with shipments of 0.6 million in the third quarter of 2016 compared with 0.1 million in 2015 Samsung shipped 0.4 million of its Gear and Gear2 watches in both 2015 and 2016 Lenovo, which makes the Motorola branded Moto 360, suffered the biggest drop with shipments down by 73.3% Pebble also slowed from 0.2m to 0.1m shipments The tech giants face big competition from traditional watchmakers, Ben Wood believes. "We actually believe the growing number of so-called smart analogue watches are where the main action will be in 2017, particularly as well-established watch brands like Fossil increase the number of smarter models they offer though traditional watch retail channels," he said. (BBC)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Saturn's Weird Hexagon Changes Colour (NASA) The mysterious hexagon at Saturn's northern pole has changed colour from blue to gold, scientists have said. The hexagon is essentially a rotating cloud pattern; its shape may originate as the result of large differences in the speeds of Saturn's winds. The observation was made by Nasa's Cassini spacecraft, which has been exploring the sixth planet since 2004. The change in colour is thought to be the result of seasonal changes on the planet. In particular, the amount of sunlight falling on the poles affects the production of suspended particles - aerosols - in the atmosphere. Scientists think the shift from a bluish colour to a golden one may be due to more aerosols being produced through reactions involving sunlight and the atmosphere. This could be happening as the planet's north pole reaches its summer solstice in May 2017. Cassini was despatched to Saturn in 1997, to better understand the processes operating on Saturn and perhaps other giant planets. Using computer simulations, scientists have shown that small perturbations in winds flowing around the north pole can form a hexagon shape rotating at speeds close to those of the real one. (BBC)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

INTERNATIONAL TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2016

Renewable Energy Capacity Overtakes Coal renewable growth is moving to emerging markets. A train runs past wind turbines at a wind power plant in Dabancheng, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, ChinaImage copyrightGETTY IMAGES China, the report says, "remains the undisputable global leader of renewable energy expansion, representing close to 40% of growth".

The International Energy Agency says that the world's capacity to generate electricity from renewable sources has now overtaken coal. The IEA says in a new report that last year, renewables accounted for more than half of the increase in power capacity. The report says half a million solar panels were installed every day last year around the world. In China, it says, there were two wind turbines set up every hour. Renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar and hydro are seen as a key element in international efforts to combat climate change. At this stage, it is the capacity to generate power that has overtaken coal, rather than the amount of electricity actually produced. Renewables are intermittent - they depend on the sun shining or the wind blowing, for example, unlike coal which can generate electricity 24 hours a day all year round. So renewable technologies inevitably generate a lot less than their capacity. Even so it is striking development. The IEA's Executive Director Fatih Birol said "We are witnessing a transformation of global power markets led by renewables". The expansion of renewable capacity reflects cost reductions for onshore wind and solar panels that the report describes as impressive; reductions that would have been "unthinkable just five years ago". The IEA expects the trend of declining costs to continue. Those two technologies are likely to account for three quarters of future growth in renewables. Hydropower will continue growing, the report says, but it is likely to do so more slowly than before. Declining costs are also one reason the agency has increased its forecast for renewable capacity in the future. Another factor mentioned by the report is government policies that provide financial incentives for using renewable power sources. The United States, for example, has extended tax credits. The report says policy changes in China, India and Mexico have also been important forces behind the increased forecast for the growth of the sector. The IEA says the centre of gravity for

Although this report does point to a much bigger role for renewables than seemed likely very recently, it still thinks there's a need for more. Mr Birol said: "even these higher expectations remain modest compared with the huge untapped potential of renewables". And in other areas of energy use, beyond electricity, renewables have made less impressive inroads. In transport and heating "progress in renewables penetration… remains slow", the report says. It also says there is a need for more action on climate change. Renewable energy - for electricity and other uses - is a key group of technologies for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, notably carbon dioxide. Renewables are supplying energy that would probably otherwise have come from burning fossil fuels such as coal and oil, which yield greenhouse gases as a waste product. The IEA says that international targets for limiting climate change will "require stronger decarbonisation rates [which means the replacement of fossil fuels] and accelerated penetration of renewables in all three sectors: power, transport and heat". (BBC)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016

Food And Drug Dept Lacks Adequate Staff, Credible Testing Lab GA-FDD, Director, Marlon Cole Many importers have complained to the Guyana Daily News about the inefficiency, long delays and most of the time unjustified decisions by the Government Food and Drug Department. Importers have also complained about the unavailability of a credible testing lab and an understaffed department, which was confirmed by Director of the department, Marlon Cole. An awareness forum on Tuesday, Cole said, for years, the department has faced challenges in undertaking its work as a result a lack of human resources, pointing out that the agency cannot physically undertake aspects of inspection, including those relative to prescription drugs and cosmetics

because of a lack of staff. “We are inundated, we are subjected in the department to look at some (documents) which are forged and we are sometimes flooded and sometimes we cannot go out to do inspections”, he said. Cole noted that the food and drug department is staffed by 18 analysts, seven of whom are inspectors and they operate in five laboratories, including the food chemistry lab, drug chemistry lab and the water chemistry lab. “They (the labs) are really supposed to be functioning in such a way that eventually should we flag any particular container, any one of those labs should be able to pronounce”, Cole said.

Guyanese See No Need For Citizenship Ministry of Citizenship, under the control of It is proposed that the Ministry of

Many Guyanese have complained that the recent formation of the Ministry of Citizenship is not serving the interest of the general population. The Ministry

Minister Winston Felix, was created with the purpose of regularizing, streamlining and formalizing the structures and systems that regulate citizenship. Under the new Ministry there will be a review of the existing system and structures and the formulation of a strategic plan to integrate these systems. However, a great percentage of persons have questioned why the government stripped vital functions of the General Registrar’s Oﬃce, the police force and to some extent the functions of the Guyana Revenue Authority. The Ministry aims to achieve the following: • the development of a comprehensive Citizenship Policy for presentation to the National Assembly; • engagement of the requisite stakeholders; • decentralization of National Registration, Immigration and Border Policy Reform and the; • development of a National Development Model that includes civic education to transform the sector

Citizenship will comprise two divisions; one involved in the registration of births, deaths and marriages while the other would be engaged with the registration of citizens, Naturalization, Visas, extension of stays, passport application and other related matters. The effective coordination of activities flowing from both systems will require a clear and well defined structure which is still in the developmental stages.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016

Government Considering Municipal Courts Two over the weekend, Minister of has been complaining not only of their

The Government is considering setting up municipal courts countrywide to deal with violations of municipal laws. Speaking with councillors in Region

Communities, Ronald Balkan, said the need for the courts is being made by various organisations. According to Bulkan, repeated calls for municipal courts have been made by the Georgetown City Council and the Private Sector so that delinquent taxpayers and other violators can be dealt with expeditiously. According to a release from the Guyana Information Agency, Bulkan explained that since engaging the Georgetown City Council and holding similar engagements with other councils across the country, the administration is considering setting up municipal courts as a mechanism to address these and other disregard for the authority of municipal councils and non-adherence to regulations. “It is coming through clear, in all our engagement with all our local government organs, that we would need a dedicated court to be able to address infractions and violations at the local (government) level,” the minister said. Bulkan said that councils

inability to rake in outstanding monies owed by delinquent taxpayers but, issues such as illegal roadside vending and illegal building construction have also been affecting their revenue bases and impeding their effective functioning. A municipal courts is a court whose jurisdiction is limited to a specific municipality. These courts preside only over cases and offenses that take place within their jurisdiction. They provide a forum for the fair and impartial resolution of alleged violations as established by the town ordinance code and hear cases involving cases of property tax, liquor License, business/trade license and some traffic offences. In the Caribbean, Municipal courts are used as a last resort, with Belize having the only municipal court in the Caribbean. Most Caribbean countries choose to consolidate the municipal court with the magistrate or the superior court as tends reduce cost of operations of the courts.

LOCAL

GUYANA DAILY NEWS Cabinet Meetings Temporarily Moved To Army Base PAGE 63

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016

Meetings is chaired by President David Granger, a former GDF Brigadier who has been accused several times by the opposition of the militarization of the State by resorting to the use of retired military oﬃcers to head several Commissions of Inquiry, and other key positions within his administration.

President David Granger The government in a statement has announced that it will be holding the meetings of the Cabinet of Ministers at the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) headquarters, Camp Ayanganna. Cabinet

According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), the army base was chosen because it provides adequate logistics and security, while urgent repairs have commenced in some sections of the main buildings of the Ministry of The Presidency (MoTP) complex. These urgent works have resulted in some rooms, including Cabinet Room being temporarily unavailable for use. The DPI related that a thorough and extensive search was conducted for a suitable space to temporarily host

Cabinet Meetings. The main requirements for a temporary alternative venue relate to privacy and confidentiality, security, document preparation and reproduction, size, cost, accessibility, parking and minimal disruption to traffic and regular business. The statement went on to say “after consideration of a number of options it was found that the vast majority of these venues did not meet several or some of the most important requirements or were unavailable for the times required.” So the only venue identified which met the requirements was the Officers Mess at Camp Ayangana, which will temporarily used for Cabinet Meetings until the repairs work at the MoTP are complete. The government said that is no additional cost to the state for use of the Officers Mess.

LOCAL PAGE 64

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016

Guyana Receives $5.4B From EU For Sugar

The sugar industry is set to get a boost of some G$5.4 Billon (€24,424,000 euros) from the European Union (EU). Mr Stefano Manservisi, Director General for International Cooperation and Development of the European Commission and Finance Minister Winston Jordan on Tuesday, signed documents triggering the release of the monies to Guyana. This sum is related to the Action Programme adopted by Guyana in the context of the Accompanying Measures Programme (AMP) for Sugar established by the European Union. According to a release from the Ministry of Foreign Aﬀairs, the signature took place in the margins of the Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Aﬀairs of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and European Union

(CELAC-EU) currently being held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Following the ﬁnding by the World Trade Organization (WTO) Dispute Settlement Body in 2004 that the EU Sugar Regime was inconsistent with WTO rules, the EU had established a 1.2 billion Euros fund to assist the ACP sugar exporting countries to reform their sugar sector in order to improve their competitiveness or to diversify out of sugar. In releasing these resources the European Commission has indicated that the Government of Guyana has made remarkable progress and commendable eﬀorts in terms of budget transparency and a c c o u n t a b i l i t y. M r M a n s e r v i s i emphasized the European Union is committed to continue assisting Guyana in its transformation. In the absence of Foreign Minister Carl B. Greenidge, who

had accompanied President Granger on a State Visit to the Republic of Chile, M i n i s t e r Wi n s t o n J o r d a n h e a d e d Guyana’s delegation to the CELAC-EU Meeting. The other members of the delegation were David Hales, Ambassador of Guyana to Belgium and the EU and Vonetta Victor of the Ministry of Foreign Aﬀairs. Guyana is heavily dependent on the EU sugar assistance since the trading bloc signaled its intentions to lift the preferential market that this country and other ACP states enjoy. EU has made available for the period 2007-2013 a maximum amount of EUR 168.8 million to support the sugar sector in Guyana. Guyana is the second biggest beneﬁciary of these sugar funds after Mauritius.

LOCAL PAGE 65

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016

Farmers Expose To Macro-propagation Training

Thirty-eight farmers were recently exposed to macropropagation training for sweet potatoes and cassava; and seedling production for hot peppers by the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) under the Agriculture Policy Programme (APP). This exercise, which exemplifies the theme for this year’s Agriculture Month, “Exploring new production frontiers: in pursuit of climate resilience,” is the second phase of an agricultural diversification initiative to increase productivity and advance food security. Participants comprised members of the Parika Farmers’ Group and the Laluni Farmers’ Group. Sixty-five percent of the participants were females. The interactive training session was held at NAREI’s headquarters, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara. Avinash Rampersaud is one of the many beneficiaries of the training. An Agricultural Science teacher by profession, Rampersaud assists his father on their farm at Parika Backdam, East Bank Essequibo. During the first phase of this APP project NAREI utilized a section of Rampersaud’s farm to conduct a sweet potato trail using sprinkler technology. The young farmer is of the view that the training session addressed a major area of concern for farmers. He noted that farmers usually have difficulty in accessing quality planting materials in a timely manner. However, this macro-propagation training session effectively demonstrated to farmers how they could readily prepare their own planting materials. As part of the training farmers were informed about the selection of proper planting materials; and rapid multiplication using the two nodes technique. The two nodes technique is simple and inexpensive. It involves cutting a cassava stick into two and placing them into plastic bags or trays. With this technique, a farmer could obtain three times the amount of planting materials than with the use of the traditional 8” stick. This technique also gives the advantage of selecting planting

materials that are disease free, highly productive, and could withstand rigorous conditions in the fields. Within five weeks the planting material could be transferred into the fields. Farmers also benefited from a sweet potato multiplication demonstration. This was especially important since small scale farmers need a regular supply of good quality, virus free planting material. NAREI has been able to multiply and distribute small quantities of high quality, diseasefree sweet potato planting material, with the specific intent of improving the food security and nutrition of rural communities. The multiplication process includes cutting virus free sweet potato vines of specific high yielding cultivars into 7cm lengths, which are dipped into a recommended fungicide and insecticide. The macro propagation materials were placed in bags or seedling trays previously prepared with potting mixture. The planting materials were placed in a shade house and allowed to grow under high humid condition. Following this, the vines grow to a length of 40cm and are cut into approximately 30cm long pieces using secateurs. The cut materials are distributed to farmers for further multiplication in field conditions. Another aspect of the training was the construction of a seedling house, which included orientation (wind movements), height of and materials used to construct the roof, and potting mixture. The importance of a seedling house for hot pepper production was excessively emphasized during the training secession. Some points to note about the importance of a seedling house are as follows: It is convenient to look after the ‘Baby’ seedlings It is possible to provide favourable growth conditions i.e. germination as well as growth Eliminates the problem of difficult soils Easy weed control Reduced field management costs Improved crop uniformity Higher yields More optimal use of Hybrid seeds Shorter growing season and more efficient use of land More accurate prediction of harvest date Before planting the seedling in the open field considerations must be given to Hardening. The hardening-off process will allow the plants to acclimatize to the environment in their final growing on site, i.e. to become capable of withstanding field conditions after planting. The young plants are gradually given more light by slowly reducing the shade over a week or so. Less water is also given, although obvious wilting should not be allowed to occur. NAREI Press Release

LOCAL

GUYANA DAILY NEWS Police Recovers AK47 And Live Rounds From Linden/Kwakwani Area PAGE 66

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016

The excellent and commendable actions of a dutiful citizen of this country resulted in the police in ‘E’ Division (Linden/Kwakwani) being able to retrieve a high powered weapon to wit an AK 47 Rifle, two (2) magazines and fifteen (15) rounds of matching ammunition, fifteen (15) .38 live rounds, thirty nine (39) 9mm live rounds and twenty-one (21) .223 live rounds and a magazine. The 42 years old citizen was engaged in the process of “house cleaning” when he saw a haversack behind a wardrobe and a closer examination discovered the firearm and ammunition, after which he rushed to the police station and informed. A police party responded and taken possession of the cache. The house is owned by persons residing overseas and persons were renting same prior to the discovery. Investigations are continuing. Guyana Police Force Press Release

Youth Charged With Forging Republic Bank Cheque Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan today released 22- year-old Deoharry Oudit on GY$50,000 bail after he was charged with conspiring with others in an attempt to defraud. The incident reportedly occurred on September 20, 2016. He pleaded not guilty to the charge and will return before the court on November 14, 2016. His lawyer in the bail application noted that Oudit was initially placed on GY$50,000 station bail and that he and the Virtual Complainant were “like family.” The Prosecution did not object to bail. The court heard that on the day in question the accused with intent to defraud conspired with others to commit a felony that is to say forged a Republic Bank Cheque valued at $1.2M property of Naipaul Ramdar.

Norton Street Woman Charged With Defrauding Employer Thirty – two-year-old Norton Street resident Karlene Stewart today appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court charged with defrauding her employer. She was released on GY$40,000 bail and is set to return before the court on November 3, 2016. She pleaded not guilty to the charge and according to the lawyer, Stewart is the mother of four who has a ﬁxed address. The prosecution did not object to bail. It is alleged that between January 1, 2016 and July 28, 2016, Stewart while being employed as a Clerk at Country Pride, received an Air Conditioning Unit which she converted to her own personal use and gain.

REGIONAL

GUYANA DAILY NEWS Mosquito Army Released In Zika Fight In Brazil & Colombia Scientists are planning to release an army of millions of chikungunya fall. Prof Scott O'Neill, of the Eliminate Dengue PAGE 67

modified mosquitoes in areas of Brazil and Colombia. They say the unusual approach is an attempt to provide "revolutionary protection" against mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika and chikungunya. The mosquitoes are infected with a bug called Wolbachia which reduces their ability to spread viruses to people. The $18m dollar project is funded by an international team of donors, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. "Vaccinating mosquitoes" The scheme - which aims to start in early 2017 - is also financed by local governments in Latin America, the US and the UK. Wolbachia is a naturally occurring bacterium that infects 60% of insect species worldwide, but scientists say it does not harm humans. The bug does not usually infect the Aedes aegypti mosquito the species mostly responsible for spreading a host of diseases such as Zika, dengue fever and cikungunya. But over the last decade researchers working for the Eliminate Dengue Program have found a way to inject the bug into Aedes mosquitoes. And researchers say small-scale observational trials in Brazil, Colombia, Australia, Indonesia and Vietnam have shown that once released, the modified mosquitoes can cut the spread of dengue to humans. It has been shown to do the same for Zika and chikungunya in laboratory-based tests. Dr Trevor Mundel, of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, said: "Wolbachia could be a revolutionary protection against mosquito-borne disease. “It's affordable, sustainable, and appears to provide protection against Zika, dengue and a host of other viruses. "We are eager to study its impact and how it can help countries." Researchers now plan to expand the trials to large urban areas in Bello in Colombia, other parts of Antioquia, and the greater Rio de Janeiro area in partnership with local governments. Scientists say once released, the infected mosquitoes breed with uninfected ones, passing on the bug to future generations. They will monitor the programme closely for the next three years, checking to see if cases of dengue fever, Zika and

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016

Program, told the BBC: "In the communities we have already worked with there have initially been two concerns. "One was that the mosquitoes might harm them in some way or that there might be some unintended consequences. "It is testament to our community engagement teams working really closely with communities to answer questions that all the communities we work with are fully supportive. "We explained Wolbachia bugs are present in so many insects worldwide that millions of humans come into contact with them everyday with no problems. "And in the six years we have been doing these trials there have been no problems." 'Resource competition' Researchers say it is likely that the Wolbachia approach works in two ways. According to Prof O'Neill, Wolbachia appears to boost the immune system of mosquitoes, making them resistant to viruses like dengue. And Wolbachia may compete with dengue and Zika for resources essential to replication. The viruses lose out and do not replicate as successfully, making it harder for them to be passed on when a mosquito bites a human. (BBC)

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes can spread Zika and dengue(SINCLAIR STAMMERS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY)

REGIONAL

GUYANA DAILY NEWS CTA To Forge More Linkages For Caribbean Produce PAGE 68

By Ivan Cairo Caribbean News Now contributor GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands -- The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) is working on strengthening linkages for agricultural producers in the Caribbean to expand their markets. According to CTA director, Michael Hailu, one of CTA’s projects in cooperation with the Caribbean Farmers Network and the Sandals Foundation, is working to strengthen linkages to domestic, regional and export markets in eight countries. CTA plans to expand this project to several other countries including Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines. Speaking at the opening of the Caribbean Week of Agriculture 2016 (CWA-2016) in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, Hailu further noted that CTA was working with farmers and their respective organisations to improve value chain initiatives, which have great potential, such as roots and tubers and fruits and vegetables. “This will enable a significant number of farmers to increase their revenues by upgrading products, processes and productivity to match market demands,” Hailu said. One of the success stories is the Dominican Republic, the CTA official said, where a sound relationship was established between agroproducers and a grassroots financing entity. “Some of the most encouraging results of our work involves linking producers to private financial institutions, and

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016

I believe there is tremendous scope for building on this approach in the future,” Hailu argued. The CTA is also playing a major role in advancing use of mobile applications and other information communications technology (ICT) platforms in developing agriculture. “Given CTA’s comparative advantage of working in the area of ICTs, especially in training and supporting young ICT entrepreneurs, we promote ICTs, more speciﬁcally mobile apps, to enhance various aspects of the value chain,” he said. (Caribbean News Now!)

CTA director Michael Hailu speaking on Monday at the plenary session of the Caribbean Week of Agriculture 2016 in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. Photo: Ivan Cairo

REGIONAL PAGE 69

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016

CaribNOG 12 Off To A Successful Start In St Maarten three-day gathering is supported by the Caribbean

PHILIPSBURG, St Maarten -- Even with its minor geographical footprint, the Caribbean has a major appetite for the Internet. More and more, Caribbean citizens are reflexively heading online to do their everyday essentials. In order to keep pace with that digital predilection, the modest community managing the region’s networks has to keep building serious capacity. “There has to be a deeper pool of human resources in the Caribbean with technical expertise,” says Bevil Wooding, co-founder of the Caribbean Network Operators Group (CaribNOG). “More people with less technical knowledge are using Internet-based technology, trusting that it will be safe. And so, a group of people have to ensure that that trust is well founded.” Wooding was speaking at the opening of CaribNOG’s twelfth regional meeting, held in Philipsburg from October 24 to 26. “We have to secure the region’s networks and look out for threats in different ways now that we are at this stage of the Internet’s development. And that’s why a group like CaribNOG is so important at this time. We become the guardians of the Caribbean’s Internet development.” CaribNOG 12 is part of Internet Week St Maarten, a five-day conference focused on developing the Caribbean Internet. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) jointly held the first three days of the week with CaribNOG. “When we started working to develop capacity in the region, we soon realised that CaribNOG had the same goals, and so we quickly decided that by working together, we could accomplish more,” said Albert Daniels, senior manager of stakeholder engagement for the Caribbean at ICANN. Daniels was one of several regional experts to conduct hands-on sessions on topics including cyber security, Internet governance, IPv6 adoption and Internet exchange points. The

Telecommunications Union; the American Registry for Internet Numbers; Packet Clearing House; ArkiTechs and The BrightPath Foundation. Internet Week St Maarten will close with St Maarten on the Move, a two-day event jointly hosted by the Internet Society (ISOC) and the Latin American and Caribbean Internet Addresses registry (LACNIC). The weeklong conference is coordinated by the St Maarten telecommunications regulator, BTP. It is open to the public and free of charge, with a live video stream for remote participants. (Caribbean News Now!)

Bevil Wooding, co-founder of the Caribbean Network Operators Group (CaribNOG) delivers opening remarks at the organisation's twelfth regional meeting, in Philipsburg, St Maarten, October 24, 2016. Photo: CaribNOG

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS First In Port Insect Discovery By Authorities In San Juan, Puerto Rico PAGE 70

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- An entomologist from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed recently that US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists made a first in port discovery of an insect within an imported air cargo shipment of cut flowers arriving from Bogota, Colombia. On October 7, CBP agriculture specialists at San Juan Airport Cargo intercepted an insect on a shipment of cut flowers originating from Colombia. This insect was identified on October 12 by USDAPlant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) as Guayaquila pallescens Stal (Membracidae), which is an actionable pest and a “first time in port” interception. “I would like to recognize the outstanding work that agriculture specialists at the San Juan Field Office perform daily,” said Mayra Claudio, San Juan assistant area port director for trade. “These discoveries are a significant accomplishment, as well as a sobering warning of potential agricultural threats.” The Membracidae is a family of insects found worldwide, commonly called treehoppers or thorn bugs. Insects in the genus Guayaquilla and its relatives are gregarious, forming primitive social groups and caring for their young, which may result in high numbers on a host. The plant bug intercepted, Guayaquila pallescens, is the first of its species intercepted in Puerto Rico. In these cases, CBP issues an emergency action notification to the importer requiring the shipment to be re-exported, fumigated or destroyed. This shipment was safeguarded and transferred for destruction. CBP

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agriculture specialists work closely with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) to protect the nation’s agriculture resources against the introduction of foreign plant pests and animal diseases. CBP agriculture specialists have extensive training and experience in the biological sciences and agricultural inspection. Their duties include inspecting tens of thousands of international air passengers and air and sea cargo that arrive into the United States each day and intercepting numerous actionable pests, or those identiﬁed through scientiﬁc risk assessment and study as being dangerous to the health and safety of US agricultural resources. (Caribbean News Now!)

Guayaquila pallescens Stal (Membracidae)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016

Jamaica Looking To Attract Tourists From Armenia By Rochelle Williams KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) -- Minister of tourism, Edmund Bartlett, says plans are under way to market brand Jamaica in Armenia. “We were able to establish a new partner in Armenia that now will be selling destination Jamaica with Qatar Airlines to bring new arrivals into the country,” he said. Bartlett, who was speaking at a recent press conference held in New Kingston, said the partnership will provide new opportunities for a diversiﬁed local tourism market, while boosting arrivals to the country. Initial discussions were held during the minister’s attendance at the 38th plenary session of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) aﬃliate members in Armenia from October 1 to 4. Further details on the partnership are to be announced later this year. The meeting discussed the latest tourism trends, public-private collaboration and promoting good practices in the sector. It also included debate on the key issues shaping the UNWTO 2017 Action Plan: the future of tourism, cultural tourism, city tourism and the 2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. (Caribbean News Now!)

Cruise ship passengers disembarked the Disney Wonder cruise ship to visit the various shops in the vicinity of the Falmouth pier. The ship made its inaugural visit to Falmouth on Tuesday, October 8. (JIS ﬁle photo)

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Jamaican Jailed For 15 Years On Drug Charge HAMILTON, Bermuda, Oct 26, CMC – A High Court Judge has sentenced a Jamaican national, who tried to smuggle cocaine into Bermuda earlier this year, to 15 years in jail after he was found guilty of the offence. Tyrone Brown, a 31-year-old Kingston electrician, who appeared “nervous and fidgety” saying he had come to Bermuda on holiday when speaking to customs officials at the L.F. Wade International Airport, had denied importing 894.6 grams of the drug worth up to US$132,000 into the island in April. The jury heard that Brown arrived in Bermuda on a flight from Miami, Florida. He had started his journey in Jamaica earlier the same day. Director of Public Prosecutions Larry Mussenden told jurors that Brown’s luggage did not arrive on his flight. And when it did the following day, it was searched by customs officers. “Inside the checked baggage was a black leather bag. Concealed inside that bag were two packages, the contents of which were taken out, seized and analysed, and found to be 894 grams of cocaine. “That ranged in value from US$95,000 up to US$132,000 on the streets of Bermuda,” Mussenden added. Brown was arrested at a holiday rental unit in Hamilton Parish two days after he arrived and at the end of the seven day trial, he was unanimously convicted of the charge. When Brown appeared for sentencing on Tuesday, Mussenden called for a custodial term in the range of 15 to 18 years, arguing that the quantity of drugs recovered could have had an impact on many in the community if it had reached the streets. However, defence

lawyer Arion Mapp said Brown was a hardworking father with no previous convictions, calling the sentence proposed by the Crown as “unfounded and inconsistent. “He shouldn’t fall anywhere near that range,” he said, suggesting a sentence of between six and eight years would be more appropriate in all the circumstances. Brown himself told the court he was a “respectful man” who never dreamt he would be before the courts in such a position. Acting Justice Charlene Scott described the charge against Brown as very serious and imposed a 15-year sentence. (Antigua Observer)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

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Trinidad And Cuba Sweep CBU Awards HAVANA, Cuba, Oct 26, CMC – Media houses in Cuba and Trinidad and Tobago swept the awards at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) function here on Tuesday night. The awards were presented during a live television event at the Teatro Lazaro Pena in Havana, during the CBU’s 47thAnnual General Assembly that ends on Thursday. CBU said that the best television documentary programme was won by the Trinidad and Tobago Parliament for its programme titled “The West Indies at War (Part I): Emperors, Kings and Power” while the best radio documentary went to the Instituto Cubano De Radio Y Television of Cubafor its programme “La Madre Negra De Marti”. In the television category, CBU said that the People’s Choice Award was won by the Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas for its production “The Rise of Buddy Hield”, while the Trinidad-based Caribbean Communications Network (CCN) won in the category of the Best Magazine Programme for its production “Cuisine Caravan”. Cuba took home the Best Drama Programme, while CCN was the winner in the Best Investigative Programme category. The Trinidad and Tobago Parliament Channel also won the “Responsible Coverage of Children’s Issues” award t5hta was sponsored by the United National Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) while the best Commercial Show award went to Great Belize Productions Limited. In the radio category Cuba was victorious in the Best Drama Programme. CBU said that a total of 144 entries were submitted across 20 categories and the submissions came from the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. The entries were assessed by a three-person judging panel drawn from Barbados and Grenada. During the awards a number of media houses were recognised for special mention with CBU

indicating that in addition to its regular sponsors, there were three new ones, with UNESCO Caribbean and UNICEF Eastern Caribbean inaugurating prizes for television and radio entries in the “Coverage of Climate Change” and “Responsible Coverage of Children’s Issues” respectively and the Barbadosbased Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) supporting the new award in coverage of Disaster Risk. The Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM) sponsored the award for Best News Item in television. (Antigua Observer)

CBU president Shida Bolai and CDEMA executive director Ronald Jackson signing collaborative agreement (Photo courtesy Daren Lee Singh)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

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Speak Out St. Lucia Call For National Outrage And A Demand For Meaningful Action In Rape Of 12-y-o PRESS RELEASE – Speak Out St. Lucia (S.O.S.) is saddened by reports of the rape of a 12 year old girl who has now been discovered to be three months pregnant. Yet again we are confronted with another case of rape in Saint Lucia which has shaken our island to the core. We can no longer be timid in dealing with these acts of rape and sexual abuse perpetrated on the women and children in Saint Lucia. Although ordinary citizens continue to be vocal and outraged about these horrific crimes, there continues to be an almost deafening silence from our elected representatives. We find other leaders in our society practically voiceless when our people need some direction and conclusive action to combat this scourge which we all agree is of epidemic proportions. Our politicians harp and trade accusations on a daily basis about IMPACS, C.I.P., VAT, and other important issues, yet we fail to witness the same priority and zeal in attacking rape and sexual abuse in Saint Lucia. The neglect of our people, the human resource, will result in even greater problems into the future. In June 2016, the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) on page 44 of their elections manifesto pledged to implement a Sex Offender Registry and to tackle sexual assault and rape. This was a clear indication that the SLP recognized the critical nature of these crimes and how they have affected our island for decades, and although being the Opposition in the House of Parliament, its elected members, representatives of the people, continue to be mum about these rapes which have shocked the nation. Where is the government’s resolve to handle this crisis? We continue to hear the same platitudes and intentions to implement measures, yet the outrage of the people does not seem to be mirrored by the actions of our representatives from both sides of the aisle. We

must have a concerted joint eﬀort, government and opposition, as these crimes are not perpetrated based on political aﬃliation. This epidemic has reached a point where decisive action must be taken! Speak Out St. Lucia continues to call for a national strategy in combating this epidemic of rape and sexual abuse. S.O.S. urges all Saint Lucians to call their elected Member of Parliament and demand action. S.O.S. continues to be alarmed by the long term problems which will challenge Saint Lucia well into the future caused by the psychological, familial, health, crime, and cost of services needed to deal with the repercussions of a broken society. (St. Lucia News Online)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS Teen Killed, 5 Injured As Haiti Hurricane Victims Receive Aid PAGE 75

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — A teenage girl in Haiti has been killed and five others injured when a fight broke out while authorities were distributing food to hurricane victims. A statement issued by the government on Wednesday says looters apparently threw stones and conch shells at police and U.N. peacekeepers, who responded with tear gas and projectiles. It's unclear how the 18-year-old girl died and how the other injuries occurred. Officials say one person is seriously injured. The incident occurred Tuesday in the small coastal village of Dame Marie, west of the city of Jeremie that was marooned for several days after Hurricane Matthew hit Haiti as a Category 4 storm. Authorities say they're investigating. (Jamaica Observer)

Residents await their turn to obtain food and zinc sheets for rooﬁng at a local distribution center in the city of Jeremie, southwestern Haiti, on October 22, 2016, in the aftermath of Hurrican Matthew. (Photo: AFP)

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Calais 'Jungle'Cleared Of Migrants, French Prefect Says

France says the three-day operation has cleared migrants from the Jungle(GETTY IMAGES) France says that it has completed an operation to move thousands of migrants out of the "Jungle" camp in Calais. Fabienne Buccio, the prefect of Pas-deCalais, said it was "mission accomplished" for the operation, which began on Monday. The announcement came as parts of the camp continued to burn after ﬁres were set overnight and in the morning. The camp has become a key symbol of Europe's migration crisis, with its residents desperate to reach the UK. Since the start of the week, French authorities have been bussing thousands of people to shelters and centres where they will be able to seek asylum. The operation has gone faster than expected and on Wednesday afternoon Ms Buccio said: "It's the end of the Jungle, our mission is over. There are no more migrants in the camp." So far, 4,404 migrants have been taken to centres around the country, the prefecture says. Processing is continuing in the camp, reports say, but will end by this evening. Unaccompanied minors are being accommodated in a temporary centre made out of converted shipping containers near the camp. So far, 1,200 children have been registered, oﬃcials say. The camp had an

estimated 6,0008,000 residents. The BBC's Simon Jones, who is there, says it is possible a large number have disappeared either to squat or sleep rough around Calais, or go to other towns of their own accord. The authorities fear they will return to set up camp again once the clearance operation is over. "Smoking embers" - by James Reynolds, BBC News, Jungle camp Fires have left the centre of the settlement charred and uninhabitable. French firefighters are now putting out the smoking embers. Many areas of the camp are now largely deserted. In muddy fields, warrens of tents remain standing and empty. I saw a small number of migrants who were in no hurry to leave. One group of half a dozen men was sitting down to dinner at a table next to a tent. But I also saw several other migrants carrying their bags towards the buses that will take them away from this region. At the same time, the French authorities are allowing many hundreds of unaccompanied children and teenagers to remain inside the camp as planned. The minors are being housed in several orderly rows of white shipping containers surrounded by a fence. I saw groups of teenagers playing football, and others sitting on an embankment. Meanwhile Dorothy Sang, of Save The Children, told the BBC that hundreds of children had not been able to register and enter the area for minors. The fires had caused many to run away, she said. "We just don't know where those children are now," she said. Overnight, huts were set on fire on the

main street leading into the camp, leaving makeshift shops in ashes. More fires were ignited during the day, but it is not clear who started them. Ms Buccio told local media it was "a tradition among the migrant population to destroy their homes before leaving". However the Calais police commissioner said he had been told by migrants that the fires were started by activists. One man was reported to have been injured when a gas canister exploded in the flames. More than 1,200 police officers have been deployed for the clearance operation at the camp, which is unpopular locally and has required a large security presence to prevent migrants reaching the UK on lorries or trains heading across the Channel. What is the Jungle? The Jungle camp is near the port of Calais and close to the 31-mile Channel Tunnel Officially about 7,000 migrants live in the camp. The Help Refugees agency said the final population ahead of its demolition was 8,143 The camp was halved in area earlier this year but the population continued to rise, and reports of violence have increased Many migrants attempt to hide themselves in cargo vehicles entering the Channel Tunnel The area has been hit by protests from both locals and truck operators Last year more than one million migrants - many fleeing the civil war in Syria - arrived in Europe. Countries struggled to cope and division arose in the EU over how best to deal with resettling people. An EU-Turkey pact to try to stop migrants crossing to Greece and moves by Balkan nations to close their borders have driven down the number of people using the so-called eastern Mediterranean route. However, migrants from African countries such as Eritrea and Somalia as well as West African nations such as Nigeria and the Gambia are continuing to attempt the crossing from Libya to Italy. (BBC)

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016

Russian Warships: Spain Says Refuelling Request Withdrawn

Russia has withdrawn a request for three warships to dock at the Spanish port of Ceuta for refuelling, following concern among Nato allies. The Spanish foreign ministry says the stopovers have now been cancelled. Spain had been coming under pressure from Nato allies not to allow the refuelling of Russian warships bound for Syria. A battle group has been sailing for the past week from Russia to the Mediterranean. "Given the information which appeared on the possibility that these ships would participate in supporting military action in the Syrian city of Aleppo, the Ministry of Foreign Aﬀairs requested clariﬁcation from the embassy of the Russian Federation in Madrid," the foreign ministry said in a

statement to the BBC. It added that permission had been granted in September for three Russian ships to dock in Ceuta between 28 October and 2 November. It said such stops for Russian naval vessels had taken places for years in Spanish ports. But following its request for clarification, the ministry said, the Russian embassy in Madrid said it was withdrawing its request for refuelling. The Russian embassy has confirmed the withdrawal, but has given no further details. Nato had earlier expressed concern that the ships could be used to help bomb civilians in Aleppo, but said the final decision on resupply rested with Spain. Nato's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg had warned that warships could be used to

target civilians in Syria. "We are concerned and I have expressed that very clearly about the potential use of this battle group to increase Russia's ability and to be a platform for air strikes against Syria," he told journalists on Tuesday. In the end it was little more than a storm in a petrol pump. Russia withdrew its request to refuel its warships in a Spanish port, and so Moscow and Madrid both found a diplomatic way to get themselves oﬀ a diﬃcult hook. But the passions aroused by Spain's apparent willingness to refuel Russian vessels were real, especially since this time the Russian task group was on its way as the British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon put it - "to bomb Syrian civilians in Aleppo".

How would it look, just as Nato defence ministers met to strengthen their forces in the Baltic, in Poland and around the Black Sea, if one of their members was helping a Russian task group on its way to a conflict where many Nato governments have accused Moscow of carrying out war crimes through its indiscriminate bombing? Led by Russia's only aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, the naval group includes a nuclear-powered battle cruiser, two antisubmarine warships and four support vessels, probably escorted by submarines. The battle group carries dozens of fighter bombers and helicopters and is expected to join about 10 other Russian vessels already off the Syrian coast. Some 2,700 people have been killed or injured since the Russian-backed Syrian offensive started last month, according to activists. Western leaders have said Russian and Syrian air strikes on Aleppo could amount to war crimes, an accusation rejected by Russia. About 250,000 civilians who live in Aleppo have been trapped by the fighting. Moscow announced last week a "humanitarian pause" in attacks as part of a plan to allow civilians and fighters to leave the area. (BBC)

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016

President Obama Ridiculed On Snapchat By Daughter Sasha

Sasha Obama is said to have posted a Snapchat message expressing her boredom(GETTY IMAGES) President Barack Obama has disclosed that his youngest daughter recently mocked him on Snapchat. The US leader said Sasha had recorded him discussing the social network at a family dinner and then quietly posted a reaction to her friends. It is not the ﬁrst time the president has discussed his 15-year-old's online activities. In July, he said she also tweets, leading several media outlets to try to identify her account. It remains secret. Likewise a copy of the described Snapchat post has not been

made public. Messages posted to the app are designed to disappear after being viewed or within a short period of time, but there are ways to circumvent the restrictions. Bored photo President Obama recounted the latest event on Monday's edition of the Jimmy Kimmel Live TV show. "Sasha gave me instructions on Snapchat," he said. "One night at dinner we're sitting there, and I had read that Snapchat was becoming really popular among her age cohort. So, I said: 'So, tell me about Snapchat.' "So, she starts explaining stuﬀ - you can make little faces on your picture, and this and that and the other. "And at the end of it, Michelle and I are sitting

there. And I said: 'Isn't this interesting?' "And I started talking to Michelle about the implications of social media and what all this means. "[And I] come to ﬁnd out she was recording us the whole time, and then sent to her friends afterwards: 'This is my dad lecturing us on the meaning of social media.' "And she took a picture of herself sort of looking bored." The president added that his wife - who joined Snapchat in June - and his eldest daughter Malia had "loved" the post. The show's host, Jimmy Kimmel, joked that the event represented a security breach. Email leaks The president also mentioned that his own iPhone was limited to

receiving emails and browsing the internet, and would not take photos, play music or make calls. "My rule has been throughout my presidency, that I assume that someday, some time, somebody will read this email," he said. "So, I don't send any email that at some point won't be on the front page of the newspapers." Hillary Clinton - who is campaigning to be the next commander-in-chief - has been beset by a scandal over leaked emails, while her rival Donald Trump has been accused of using outdated software on his company's email servers. President Obama also said that he expected technology to preoccupy his successor. "One of the biggest challenges... is going to be: how do we continue to get all the beneﬁts of being in cyberspace but protect our ﬁnances, protect our privacy? "How do we balance issues of security? Because people expect the government to monitor this enough to protect them from bad guys. "But they worry that if government is in there too much, then who is going to protect them from government? "This is going to be a big debate that we're going to have for a long time." (BBC)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016

US Election: Trump Breaks From Campaign To Open Washington Hotel expensive." Mr Trump's

(AP) Republican candidate Donald Trump is taking a break from campaigning to open a new hotel bearing his name just blocks from the White House. Mr Trump will cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony before rejoining the campaign trail in North Carolina. His rival Hillary Clinton will spend her 69th birthday campaigning in the mustwin state of Florida. Mr Trump had some good news in a Bloomberg Politics poll that put him two points ahead in that state. But with less than two weeks until election day, he continues to trail Mrs Clinton in other key

battleground states. The $212m (£173m) hotel opening at the Washington's Old Post Office Pavilion will be Mr Trump's second marketing event of the week. He appeared at his Doral golf course near Miami, Florida, on Tuesday with a group of his Hispanic employees, many of whom offered testimonials about their experience working for him. But Kellyanne Conway, Mr Trump's campaign manager, told NBC's Today programme on Wednesday that his appearance at the opening was to showcase his accomplishments. "Hillary Clinton took five days off to prepare for one

debate and everyone looked at that as some kind of noble exercise," she said on NBC's Today show. "He's got the most active campaign 'sched' of the two candidates by far." The Republican nominee used the announcement that premiums under President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law would rise by double digits next year to attack Mrs Clinton at a campaign stop in Florida on Tuesday. "Job-killing Obamacare is just one more way that our system is rigged, believe me," he said. "We get rid of Obamacare and we come up with a plan that's so much less

running mate, Indiana Governor Mike Pence, will head to Utah, which has not supported a Democrat for president in more than half a century. The governor will also stop in Nevada and Colorado before heading to the Republican state of Nebraska on Thursday. Meanwhile, Mrs Clinton will rally support at two Florida campaign stops. She celebrated her 69th birthday a day early on Univision's entertainment news show El Gordo y La Flaca, where she received a bottle of tequila and a cake decorated with an image of her face and the White House. What happens next? The two candidates will spend the remaining 14 days before the election criss-crossing the country in their bid to persuade undecided voters. Expect to see lots of appearances in battleground states such as Ohio, North Carolina, Florida and Pennsylvania Voters will go to the polls on Tuesday 8 November to decide who becomes the 45th president of the US The new president will be inaugurated on 20 January 2017 (BBC)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016

Syria Conﬂict: School children Killed In Idlib Air Raids

The Syria Civil Defence reported that a complex containing three schools was targeted(SYRIA CIVIL DEFENCE) More than 20 people, many of them children, have been killed in air strikes on a rebel-held village in north-western Syria, activists s a y. A s c h o o l complex was reportedly among several locations targeted in the

village of Haas, in Idlib province. It w a s n o t immediately clear if the raids were car r ied o u t b y S y r i a n government or R u s s i a n warplanes. State media quoted a military source as saying several "terrorists" had been killed when their positions were hit. The incident comes as the government and its ally Russia said they would

continue a moratorium on the aerial bombardment of besieged, rebelheld eastern districts of the city of Aleppo. The attack on Haas, about 75km (46 miles) south-west of Aleppo, appears to have been intense, reports the BBC's James Longman in Beirut. The Syria Civil Defence, whose rescue workers are known as the White Helmets,

said a complex containing three schools was targeted. Activists shared photographs of bloodied corpses, many of them children, lining the ﬂoors of a m a k e s h i f t treatment centre. The Syria Civil Defence said initial reports were of more than 20 people being killed, while the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the death toll at

22, including 14 children and a t e a c h e r. B o t h groups said some of the wounded were in a critical condition. O u r correspondent says Idlib is one of the last strongholds of the S y r i a n opposition. The area is where civilians from eastern Aleppo would be sent under faltering UN ceasefire plans. That effort is still ongoing, our correspondent adds, but while R u s s i a ' s bombardments of eastern Aleppo have stopped the government's ground offensive continues meaning aid deliveries and evacuations cannot take place. (BBC)

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016

Coke Sales Continue To Lose Their Fizz

(GETTY IMAGES) Coca-Cola's global sales slid 7% in the three months to September as consumers kept the lid on carbonated drinks. The fall to $10.6bn (£8.67bn) was the sixth consecutive quarterly decline in revenue for the world's biggest soft drinks company. The Latin America and Europe, Middle East and Africa regions both posted a 4% slide in sales,

although North America had 3% growth and Asia rose 4%. Water and sports drinks helped drive a 3% rise in still beverage sales. Net profit also fell 28% to $1.05bn (£859m) in the quarter. Both revenue and profits were slightly better than analysts had expected, helping shares to rise almost 1% in New York to $42.88. The stock is flat for the year to date. Volume sales of carbonated drinks such as Sprite,

Fanta and Coca-Cola Zero were behind the 3% rise in North America to $2.66bn, while Diet Coke sales fell. Sales of non-carbonated drinks, including iced tea, juices and energy drinks, rose 2% in North America. The launch of Coca-Cola Zero Sugar in the UK, which replaced Coca-Cola Zero, enjoyed "strong double-digit unit case volume growth". The company's new

"One Brand" strategy, which gives Coca Cola, Coke Zero, Diet Coke, and Coca Cola Life a common visual identity, has now been introduced to 12 of its top markets. James Quincey, CocaCola president and chief operating o ﬃ c e r, t o l d a conference last month that a new global marketing campaign called Taste the Feeling was beginning to boost s a l e s . " We s e e encouraging results in terms of retail sales growth of the Coca-Cola brand in total," he said. "We believe that marketing takes its time to build up. It is a huge business, and the Coca-Cola business is not going to suddenly change overnight." (BBC)

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016

Dish To Listen For ET Around Strange Star

The Green Bank Telescope is located in a rural area of West Virginia(NRAO) A $100m initiative to listen for signals from alien life is targeting a star with an unusual dimming pattern. The Breakthrough Initiative, backed by Prof Stephen Hawking and Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, will train a US radio telescope on a target called Tabby's Star. Tabby's Star has been a subject of attention and controversy over its irregular dimming pattern. Some scientists have been puzzled by large dips in the star's brightness. Hawking backs new search for aliens One of the most favoured explanations for this behaviour is that a swarm of comet fragments is periodically blocking light from the star, which also known by its oﬃcial designation - KIC 8462852. One very remote and speculative idea - yet one that has attracted much attention in the media - is that the pattern is caused by some kind of

artiﬁcial structure, or a collection of structures, around the star. The codirector of the Breakthrough Listen programme, Dr Andrew Siemion, said he was sceptical of explanations that involved intelligent life. He added: "The Breakthrough Listen programme has the most powerful SETI equipment on the planet, and access to the largest telescopes on the planet. “We can look at it with greater sensitivity and for a wider range of signal types than any other experiment in the world." The team plans to use the 100m Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia, US, to observe the star, which is named after the leader of the team that discovered it - Tabetha Boyajian, assistant professor at Louisiana State University. Previous searches, using the Hubble Space Telescope and the Keck Observatory, have failed to ﬁnd any unusual signals around the star. But Dr Siemion explained: "The Green Bank Telescope is the largest fully steerable radio telescope on the planet, and it's

the largest, most sensitive telescope that's capable of looking at Tabby's star given its position in the sky." The unusual behaviour around Tabby's star was ﬁrst reported in September 2015 by Dr Boyajian, who was then a postdoctoral student at Yale University. The ﬁndings were published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. The team was actually looking for evidence of planets orbiting stars other than our own. While most such dimming by transiting planets is brief, regular and blocks just 1 or 2% of the light of the star, Tabby's star dims for days at a time, by as much as 22%, and at irregular intervals. Speculation that the phenomenon could be caused by a "megastructure" built by an intelligent civilisation, has been dismissed by most scientists. But it has propelled the stellar object to prominence in the popular media. "I don't think it's very likely - a one in a billion chance or something like that but nevertheless, we're going to check it out," said Dan Werthimer, chief scientist at Berkeley SETI, based at the University of California, Berkeley. Yet Tabby's Star remains a fascinating conundrum for astronomers. Some observations show that the dips in brightness are more irregular than a comet swarm would produce. And another study suggested that it had been dimming at a steady rate for the past century. The Breakthrough Listen initiative was launched in 2015 at an event in London. It is backed by Prof Hawking, Mr Zuckerberg and Russian entrepreneur Yuri Milner - who also supports the Breakthrough Prizes for science and maths (BBC)

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 83

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016

'Afghan Girl' From National Geographic Cover Arrested For ID Fraud

An Afghan woman immortalised on the cover of National Geographic magazine in 1985 as a green-eyed 12-year-old has been arrested in Pakistan for holding fake identity papers, officials say. Sharbat Gula could face a fine and up to 14 years in jail. Officials say she was arrested by Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) after a two-year probe in Peshawar, near

t h e A f g h a n b o r d e r. Pakistan recently launched a crackdown against fake IDs. Mrs Gula allegedly applied for an identity card in April 2014, using the name Sharbat Bibi. If the fraud claims are true, she is one of thousands of Afghan refugees living in Pakistan who have tried t o d o d g e i t s computerised system. An oﬃcial from the National Database

Registration Authority (Nadra) said the FIA was seeking three staﬀ who had issued Mrs Gula's ID. They have been missing since the alleged fraud was reported. Pakistan's Dawn newspaper reports that ID cards were issued to Mrs Gula and two men who claimed to be her sons. A Nadra source told the paper: "They may not be her sons, but this is a common practice

among Afghan refugees whereby they list names of non-relatives as their children to obtain documents." The celebrated "Afghan girl" picture of Mrs Gula was taken in 1984 in a refugee camp in north-west Pakistan, during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. It led to one of the most recognisable magazine covers ever printed. In 2002, photographer Steve McCurry tracked his subject down after 17 years of searching. At that time, Mrs Gula was living in a remote Afghan village with her baker husband and three daughters. Pakistan's push against foreigners getting fake ID cards through fraud has detected 60,675 cards in the hands of nonnationals, oﬃcials say. Recent UN ﬁgures show that Pakistan hosts 1.4 million registered Afghan refugees. A further one million unregistered refugees are believed to be in the country. (BBC)

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 84

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016

Tata Sacking: Cyrus Mistry Was 'Lame Duck' Chairman

(AFP) The ousted chairman of India's Tata Group has lashed out at the way his sudden departure was handled. In a noholds-barred email to the board seen by the BBC, Cyrus Mistry says he had become a "lame duck" chairman and alleges constant interference, including being asked to sign off on deals he knew little about. He also warned the company risks huge writedowns across the business. Tata said it currently had no response to the allegations. The Bombay Stock Exchange has sought clarification from Tata on the contents of Mr Mistry's letter. Tata Sons, the holding company of Tata Group, unexpectedly replaced Mr Mistry with his predecessor Ratan Tata on Monday, giving no explanation or details about its decision. But analysts say there was a clash over strategy, with the Tata family unhappy at Mr Mistry's policy of looking to sell off parts of the business - including Tata's European steel business - rather than holding on to assets and extending the firm's global reach. Brutal assessment Whatever the reasons, Mr

Mistry has come out fighting. In his blistering five-page attack, he wrote that the board had "not covered itself with glory" and that the nature of his dismissal had done "immeasurable harm" to both his own reputation and that of the firm. And he said that when he moved from being a non-executive director to chairman in 2012, he did "not have a clear grasp of the gravity" of problems he had inherited. While saying that he did not want to "air a laundry list", Mr Mistry went on to unleash a brutal assessment of many aspects of the business, warning the firm may face 1.18 trillion rupees ($18bn) in writedowns because because of five unprofitable businesses he inherited. Issues he raised included: Huge debts from many of its foreign investments including hotels, its chemicals business in the UK and Kenya, and steel operations in Europe. A telecoms business that is "continuously haemorrhaging" money as well as facing a fine of at least $1bn Tata Power struggling because of underestimating coal prices, and

getting into clashes with local landowners Mr Mistry said there was no sign of profitability on the Tata Nano project - which had been launched as the world's cheapest car - and criticised a failure to face up to the reality of its consistently losing money. Tata steel logo "Any turnaround strategy for the company requires to shut it down. Emotional reasons alone have kept us away from that crucial decision," he said. Tata's foray into the aviation sector was also criticised, with Mr Mistry suggesting he signed up to joint ventures under pressure from the former chairman. He claimed he was asked by Ratan Tata to sign off quickly on a tie-up with Malaysia's Air Asia to create Air Asia India and that "my pushback was hard but futile". And he wrote that Tata's 51% stake in Vistara - a venture between Tata and Singapore Airlines - was also foisted upon on him "without the benefit of time and experience to fully evaluate the proposal". He also alleges that there were "fraudulent transactions" in the Air Asia India deal which had only "belatedly" been investigated. Long association Cyrus Mistry had been hand-picked as a successor to Ratan Tata as the second chairman from outside the Tata family and with high hopes that he would be the right man to steer the company. He was the sixth chairman in Tata's 148-year history and the first chairman in nearly 80 years to come from outside the Tata family. But Mr Mistry did not come into the job cold. His family has been a major Tata investor since the 1930s and controls companies holding 18% of Tata Sons. And he knows the family well, not least because of his sister's marriage to Ratan Tata's halfbrother, Noel. (BBC)

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 85

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2016

Russian Warships: Spain Says Refuelling Request Withdrawn

statement to the BBC. It added that permission had been granted in September for three Russian ships to dock in Ceuta between 28 October and 2 November. It said such stops for Russian naval vessels had taken places for years in Spanish ports. But following its request for clarification, the ministry said, the Russian embassy in Madrid said it was withdrawing its request for refuelling. The Russian embassy has confirmed the withdrawal, but has given no further details. Nato had earlier expressed concern that the ships could be used to help bomb civilians in Aleppo, but said the final decision on resupply rested with Spain. Nato's SecretaryGeneral Jens Stoltenberg had warned that warships could be used to target civilians in

Syria. "We are concerned and I have expressed that very clearly about the potential use of this battle group to increase Russia's ability and to be a platform for air strikes against Syria," he told journalists on Tuesday. In the end it was little more than a storm in a petrol pump. Russia withdrew its request to refuel its warships in a Spanish port, and so Moscow and Madrid both found a diplomatic way to get themselves oﬀ a diﬃcult hook. But the passions aroused by Spain's apparent willingness to refuel Russian vessels were real, especially since this time the Russian task group was on its way - as the British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon put it - "to bomb Syrian civilians in

Aleppo". How would it look, just as Nato defence ministers met to strengthen their forces in the Baltic, in Poland and around the Black Sea, if one of their members was helping a Russian task group on its way to a conflict where many Nato governments have accused Moscow of carrying out war crimes through its indiscriminate bombing? Led by Russia's only aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, the naval group includes a n u c l e a r- p o w e r e d b a t t l e cruiser, two anti-submarine warships and four support vessels, probably escorted by submarines. The battle group carries dozens of fighter bombers and helicopters and is expected to join about 10 other Russian vessels already off the Syrian coast. Some 2,700 people have been killed or injured since the Russian-backed Syrian offensive started last month, according to activists. Western leaders have said Russian and Syrian air strikes on Aleppo could amount to war crimes, an accusation rejected by Russia. About 250,000 civilians who live in Aleppo have been trapped by the fighting. Moscow announced last week a "humanitarian pause" in attacks as part of a plan to allow civilians and fighters to leave the area. (BBC)

PAGE 88

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

Jagdeo: Country Was Not Left Bankrupt

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo Many persons are questioning the APNU+AFC’s government’s rhetoric that the treasury was left in a bankrupt state following the May 2015 elections, but the budget estimates for 2016 indicates that the treasury was not left in a bankrupt state, 1. Under ‘Other Spending’ which increased from $43.8M in 2015 to $196M in 2016 Harmon explains that $68M is for Presidential broadcasts; $5M for cable services; $1.5M for

phones and accessories; $6.5M for advertising & $42M for climate change consultations. He could not however, say when and where these consultations are to be held. 2. Electricity charges which was $14.2M in 2015 is now being catered for to the tune of $119.69M. Harmon could not state the additional locations being covered that could have caused such an increase in light of the drop in fuel prices. 3. Fuel and lubricants rose from $17.6M in 2015 to $64M in 2016. When quizzed Harmon stated that it was as a result of new vehicles that were acquired. 4. Refreshments and meals rose from $10.6M in 2015 to $28M this year; print and non-print materials from $11.6 to $30M while oﬃce supplies increased from $3.9M to $23.5M, This view came on the backdrop of the recent announcement that repairs are being carried out at the Ministry of the Presidency and more recently at the home of the Prime Minister.

Several persons were quoted as saying “the government is in the business of self- interest” there is a lot of work that’s needs to be done around the country that should take precedence over rehabilitating the Ministry of the Presidency, many presidents came and worked in the what used to be called the Office of the President and lived in the State House without repairs, why is it important now to repair these places. Also condemning the government’s action is Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo who said that the APNU+AFC is spending large sums of monies on “comfort issues” after claiming the treasury was left bankrupt instead of focusing on problems that is affecting citizens on a daily basis such as unemployment and security. He further stated that hundreds of millions of dollars have already been spent fixing the State House and the Prime Minister ’s residence.

PAGE 89

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

APNU+AFC Avoiding Scrutiny With Early Budget there are established planning units and the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Aﬀairs will have such a planning unit,” he said However the opposition PPP is not too pleased with the move by the government since there will be transparency issues arising. Many political commentators are of the view that an early budget spells corruption to the highest extent and that the government is avoiding scrutiny. President David Granger announced December 5, 2016 as budget 2017 date, where he noted that the government is contemplating the establishments of ministerial planning units. “We can only maintain that pattern of preparation if

At a press conference on Monday, PPP Member of Parliament and former Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill, said that the accounting period comes to an end on December 31, 2016 and that while debating the next budget, the ﬁgures of the present budget will not be available for comparison. “We will be debating and examining a budget where a current budget is being

executed and we don’t know for sure actuals. For example, between December 21 and December 31, do you know what the expenditure of this country can be? If the books are not closed, we don’t know how much they spent, how much is their capital expenditure, how much is their current expenditure to ﬁnd out what we are doing for 2017; so we will be at a disadvantage,” he explained. He further stated that “We are very concerned if this is another three-card trick that is being played out in the public where we are going to be duped. Is this another form of corruption to hide underperformance and create opportunities for greater levels of corruption?”

PAGE 90

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

Vickram Bharrat Replaces Ramson Jr. In National Assembly Vi c k r a m O u t a r Bharrat Following the resignation of Charles Ramson Jr. from the National Assembly to pursue a Masters in Oil and Gas at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom, People’s Progressive Party Civic’s (PPP/C) Vi c k r a m O u t a r Bharrat was today sworn as his replacement.

Bharrat took the oath of oﬃce before the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs after his name was extracted from the PPP’s list of candidates through the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Speaker of the House, Dr. Barton Scotland welcomed Bharrat to the National Assembly and invited parliamentarians from both sides to wish Bharrat well in his tenure as a new addition to the law making body.

PAGE 91

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

Local Police Receive Training In Human Traﬃcking From INTERPOL

Following an assessment in April by the Ministerial Task Force in collaboration with INTERPOL on Trafficking in Persons, officers from the Guyana Police Force have now benefited from training provided by the international organisation. INTERPOL is currently in the training phase of its project to combat H u m a n Tr a ffi c k i n g a n d M i g r a n t Smuggling in the Caribbean. A number of Caribbean governments have joined with INTERPOL with the aim of improving the Caribbean’s institutional capacity to combat trafficking in persons. From September 5-9, 2016, Superintendent E.

Wray and Inspector P. Harris of the Guyana Police Force’s Immigration Department and W/Sergeant 19981 Castello, Corporal 19822 Pitama and W/Constable 21232 McBean of the Guyana Police Force’s Criminal Investigations Department, Major Crimes Unit attended a ‘Victim Identification, Referral and Assistance Training’, with regard to trafficking in persons, in Trinidad and Tobago. This Tr a i n i n g C o u r s e t a rg e t e d l a w enforcement agencies who worked with victims of trafficking in persons in their daily operations. Trainers sought to equip participating Officers with enhanced skills in effectively detecting potential victims and responding to cases of trafficking in persons. Additional training targeted judicial authorities engaged in the prosecution of human trafficking cases with the aim of facilitating an increase in the capacity to successfully prosecute these types of cases in the Caribbean. From September 12-15, 2016, Assistant Superintendent V.

Hunte, W/Inspector A. Solomon and Corporal 18351 D. Jones – Prosecutors with the Guyana Police Force – attended a Training Course entitled ‘Human Tr a ffi c k i n g Tr a i n i n g f o r L e g a l Authorities’, also in Trinidad and Tobago. Stemming from the aforementioned training from INTERPOL , the Commissioner of Police (ag), Mr. David Ramnarine, DSM organized a local two (2) day Training Course for thirteen (13) Officers from the Guyana Police Force’s Criminal Investigations Department, Major Crimes Unit which was held on September 26 and 27, 2016 at the Guyana Police Force Officers’ Training Centre, Camp and Young Streets. Presentations at this Training Course were delivered by the Officers who benefitted from INTERPOL Training along with representatives of the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons, including non-governmental organizations.

LOCAL PAGE 92

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

Telecommunications, Mining And Trade On Chile/Guyana Bilateral Agenda

President David Granger President David Granger has described his oﬃcial State visit to Chile and meeting with President Michelle Bachelet as highly successful and one that needed to happen, as not only does it open the door to deepened cooperation between the two countries but it solidiﬁes linkages between Chile and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). According to a release from the Ministry of Presidency, the last day of sectoral bilateral meetings saw discussion in the areas of trade, mining, telecommunications and management of maritime zones. Aiming to advance the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector, by t h e p a s s a g e o f t h e Telecommunications Bill, Bill No. 15 of 2016, the Government of Guyana is currently in negotiation with the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Limited (GTT) to bring an end to the monopoly in the sector in keeping with the new legal framework. The Government has said that it is keen to learn from Chile,

which has what is described as one of the most developed telecommunications sectors in Latin America. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Carl Greenidge, who accompanied the President on the visit, met on Monday with Undersecretary of Telecommunications, Mr. Pedro Huichalaf at the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications. The minister related that chile has offered to provide technical assistance for the strengthening of the capacity of Ministry of Public Telecommunications as well as the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to ensure efficient and seamless implementation of the new framework. Following a meeting with Undersecretary of Mining, Mr. Ignacio Moreno Fernandez at the Ministry of Mining on Wednesday, Chile has also offered to provide technical assistance for geological mapping, which would allow for a scientific determination of the location of mineral wealth deposits in Guyana. Chile has already issued a call for project proposals in the area of Geological and Metallogenic maps and Petrographic Studies from Guyana which is being reviewed by the Ministry of

Natural Resources and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission. The president noted that not only is cooperation important to Guyana in this area, but noted that CARICOM states have already received disaster management and response support from Chile. Speaking of the issue of maritime space management the president said that there were meeting with the Chilean Navy. “We went to the Navy to discuss ways and means of providing support for the Caribbean Maritime eﬀort. “I think that is very important, not only in terms of search and rescue, but also in terms of training and collaboration and ensuring that anti-narcotics operations are given support from the Chilean Navy, which is a very strong Navy,” he said. When its comes to business investment, the assessment on the Chilean side is that Chilean investors do not really know enough about Guyana to make a judgment and it was there view that the ﬁrst step ought to be, apart from the provision of general information, to arrange for private sector engagement.

PAGE 93

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

Government Can Move Against Duncan – Attorney General

Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Aﬀairs, Basil Williams “We don’t have to wait for no criminal matter to be completed to move administratively against anybody; that’s always been the rule,” Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Aﬀairs, Basil Williams said during a press conference Wednesday. The Minister who recently returned from Paris, is adamant that the government does not have to await the conclusion of Carvil Duncan’s criminal matter in the court to move administratively against the public servant. Carvil Duncan, who is the head of the Public Service Commission (PSC) and is a member of several other constitutional bodies, is currently facing fraud charges in the Magistrate’s Court. Last month, President David Granger appointed a Tribunal to investigate Duncan’s removal from his post following the charges. Duncan and his Lawyer, Former, Attorney General and attorney-at-law Anil Nandlall was recently successful in presenting their case to the High Court, which saw Justice Franklin Holder issuing an order to have the tribunal blocked while his matter is before the court.

The High Court order stated that the tribunal was set up based on unconstitutional advice given by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo to President David Granger. However, the Attorney General said the Tribunal does not have to await the decision on Duncan’s criminal matter. “If you are a public servant and you are charged for any offence in Guyana what happens to you? You’re interdicted,” AG Williams pointed out. “Any lawyer worth his salt will know that if you have a criminal offence and you are working with an employer the employer doesn’t have to wait to see whether you are convicted before the employer can decide whether you are good for his employment or not because administratively you could proceed,” the AG explained. Minister Williams said that he will be taking custody of the matter. The Attorney General pointed out that the High Court ruling did not give the Prime Minister an opportunity to respond to the Order Rule Nisi. “Not because you go for an Order Nisi it inexorably follows that the judge’s hand is tied and they have to plant this order,” the AG said. It was Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo who made the recommendations to the President to set up the Tribunal. Duncan had previously stated that no hearing was afforded him by the Prime Minister prior to the PM advising the President to launch an investigation into his removal from office according to Article 225 (4) of the Constitution. However, AG Williams pointed out that, “Were the Prime Minister given that opportunity it would have been shown from the record, look evidence of receipt.” “It means then that if it is shown that they receive the notice that’s the end of the case. The Prime Minister has indicated to me that he will give me instructions and so we will file our answer,” AG Williams said.

PAGE 94

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016

Michael Khan: The Lecturer, The Dramatist ‘Ole Man Pappie’ Michael Khan: the Lecturer, the dramatist ‘Ole Man Pappie’ Michael Khan, better known for his creative personality, his impersonations of ancestral beings using the raw version of lost tongues, or ‘creole’, is a proud son of this land. Mr. Khan is an ‘Ole’ Man Pappie’, the definition given to those in charge to keep the beautiful tradition of storytelling. The art of the patient and avid orator that masters the technique of narrating a tale enchanting the audience. Reciting verses that mix history, customs and folklore, a tradition almost entirely consumed by the age of technology. But Mr. Kahn is reluctant to let it disappear on his watch. Michael Khan was born on March 1st 1957, in Lot E’ Klien Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, to a humble family. Since small, Michael was attracted by the mystery and faded colors of the story told by the elders. How they talked about lost times, years now in ‘sepia’ that they could only kept alive through the oral history. This simple, but beautiful tradition called the attention of the young Michael. Not only narrative but all the different manifestations of art were captivating his eyes. His creative side started to bloom, reflecting his innovative ideas on paper, wood and building his own version of broken toys. As a young student, Michael would often be seen taking part of the school plays. This continued during high school. After completing his basic education he joined the Burrowes School of Art, where he obtained a ‘Diploma in Art Education’. After meeting a vagrant that was known as the ‘Ole Man Pappie’, due to his ability to tell stories, Michael was inspired to pursue his passion for drama and oratory, he just needed an exclusive, still traditional way to explode it. With his admirable narrative skills and creativity there was only one thing left to do, perform. Michael created a ‘team’ of puppets, fictional characters that helped him with the story line. Becoming a ‘one man band’ capable of bringing laughter and knowledge at the same time. He would perform in educational institutions and theatres, gaining local recognition as the ‘Ole Man Pappie’. Between the stages and the classroom, Michael graduated with a Degree in Art, from the University of Guyana. Cementing his foundation as an artist after receiving a Masters Degree in the International Education from Framingham State College. Today Michael is an art lecturer of Art Education, Textile and Graphic at the University of Guyana, School of Education and Humanities, Department of Language and Cultural Studies. He has represented Guyana as a storyteller, puppeteer and dramatist in different international cultural festivals. Through his work he encourages the youth to investigate and learn from their past, their base and origins and to love it in the process. For the last two decades Michael has served not only as an outstanding professor and dramatist, he has also become one of the last ‘anchors’ between past and present. The life support of tongues no longer spoken, the vessel of lost stories. Source: https://www.facebook.com/michael.khan.1656

Guyanese Lecturer and dramatist Michael Khan better known as 'Ole Man Pappie’

Mr. Khan during a story telling session at Mc. Gillvary Primary School, West Bank Demerara, On September last

PAGE 96

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

Traﬃc Task Force Continues To Clamp Down On Drunk Drivers

Photographs of the individuals charged with the offence Officers of the Guyana Police Force Traffic Task Force continue their campaigning exercise and as a result The following persons have been charged by the police for driving under the influence of alcohol: 1. Neranjan Paludhari of No. 72 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, was stopped and tested with a breathalyzer on 2016-08-11 while driving motor vehicle HC 1878 on the No. 79 Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol. He was charged and appeared at the Springlands Magistrate Court on 20160815 where he pleaded ‘guilty’ and was fined $7,500.00. 2. Halim Omed of Lot 91 Bushlot Village, WCB, was stopped and tested with a breathalyzer on 2016-08-14 while driving motor vehicle PVV 1903 on the D’ Edward Public Road, WCB. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol. He was charged and appeared at the Blairmont Magistrate Court on 2016-08-15 where he pleaded ‘guilty’ and was fined $7, 500.00. 3. Imran Hoosain of Lot 11 Belvedere Village, Corentyne, Berbice, was stopped and tested with a breathalyzer on 201608-14 while driving motor vehicle PHH 8575 on the No. 36 Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol. He was

charged and appeared at the Springlands Magistrate Court on 2016-08-15 where he pleaded ‘guilty’ and was fined $7, 500.00. 4. Chandra Ramsingh of Lot 85 Belvedere Village, Corentyne, Berbice, was stopped and tested with a breathalyzer on 2016-08-14 while driving motor vehicle HC 4686 on the No. 51 Village Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol. He was charged and appeared at the Springlands Magistrate Court on 2016-08-15 where he pleaded ‘guilty’ and was fined $7,500.00. 5. Kevindra Neerahoo of Lot 2 No. 46 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, was stopped and tested with a breathalyzer on 201608-28 while driving motor vehicle PNN 1854 on the No. 60 Village Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol. He was charged and appeared at the Springlands Magistrate Court on 2016-08-29 where he pleaded ‘guilty’ and was fined $7,500.00. 6. Nivash Beharry of Lot 90 No. 76 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, was stopped and tested with a breathalyzer on 201608-27 while driving motor vehicle PRR 8636 on the No. 75 Village Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol. He was charged and appeared at the Springlands Magistrate Court on 2016-08-29 where he pleaded ‘guilty’ and was fined $7,500.00. 7. Imran Williams, of Lot 5 ‘C’ No. 74 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, was stopped and tested with a breathalyzer on 201608-27 while driving motor cycle CE 1870 on the No. 74 Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol. He was charged and appeared at the Springlands Magistrate Court on 2016-0829 where he pleaded ‘guilty’ and was fined $7,500.00. 8. Shakurdeo Samaroo, of Lot 6 No. 76 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, was stopped and tested with a breathalyzer on 201608-27 while driving motor vehicle PTT 1624 on the No. 70 Village Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol. He was charged and appeared at the Anna Regina Magistrate Court on 2016-08-29 where he pleaded ‘guilty’ and was fined $7,500.00. Guyana Police Force Press Release

REGIONAL PAGE 98

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

Marijuana Being Traded For Weapons In Caribbean Drug Trade By LK Hewlett BASSETERRE, St Kitts (WINN) -- Criminals involved in the Caribbean drug trade are increasingly using marijuana to buy weapons, according to Juan Gonzalez, deputy a s s i s t a n t s e c r e t a r y f o r We s t e r n Hemisphere Affairs in the US State Department during a recent press briefing to give updates on the sixth Caribbean Basin Security Initiatives (CBSI) dialogue. Gonzalez said, “We’re also seeing an increase in incidences of trading marijuana for weapons, and so one of the areas where we are also cooperating with the Caribbean, is to making sure that we’re actually expanding the proliferation of the automated fingerprint identification

systems, which allows law enforcement to share information on fingerprints for criminals, but also ballistics information. So that if somebody commits a crime in another island, the databases on other islands can actually catch that individual and also trying to share information on illegal firearms that are coming from the United States.” Gonzalez went on to note that a lot of the firearms in the Caribbean are actually being cross-traded and not necessarily coming from the US. St Kitts and Nevis is one of the eight Caribbean states that benefit from the CBSI. The government and police have come under fire recently for the eradication of large amounts of marijuana plants across the federation.

Some sectors of the community are calling on the government to legalize or decriminalize marijuana possession. Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris spoke on the issue recently: “Some people will say well they are just growing some marijuana, marijuana is illegal in the country and the law is the law. Those who are involved with marijuana need guns to protect their turf to impose their discipline on other young people, that is why a number of them in their gangs they can’t go out because they know what their masters have and that is why we have to stamp it out. Some of them will say well in the States it has been legalized in some areas for medical use, well we are not the States and while it is being done in some of the States, I was in a meeting with President Obama and he said in his lifetime the federal government will never legalize marijuana. “Jamaica has made some eﬀort to do that and I would say they are regretting it so I have said to them at home the law is the law and we have to uphold the law. So it is a big, big issue to be discussed and time needs to be taken on it. I have said to my cabinet we will not be hustled on this matter, so if you have some rastaman walking around saying ‘legalize the herb, legalize the herb, this is God’s herb’, a lot of things that God tell them to do they’re not bothering with God and that but you must legalize the herb.” (Caribbean News Now!)

REGIONAL PAGE 99

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

Poor Transportation Hampers Growth Of Regional Agriculture

N i s a S u r u d j b a l l y, P ro g r a m m e M a n a g e r, A g r i c u l t u r e a t t h e CARICOM Secretariat. Photo Ivan Cairo By Ivan Cairo Caribbean News Now contributor GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands --

Wastage of agricultural produce in the Caribbean will continue due to poor transportation a top official of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), said on Tuesday during the opening of the Agricultural Trade and Transport Seminar at the Caribbean Week of Agriculture being held in the Cayman Islands. Acting sub-regional FAO Coordinator, Lystra Fletcher-Paul, lamented the wastage of especially tropical fruits she experienced in Guyana. She noted that, if there was an adequate intra-regional transport system for agricultural produce, the food import bill in the region of over US$5 billion, could be scaled back. However Caribbean Community (CARICOM) adviser, Desiree FieldRidley said in an interview that producers and transporters both have a different take on the transportation issue. “Actually the transportation people will tell you it’s a production problem,” said the CARICOM official. “They claim that there are no regular supplies in large quantities hence the lack of adequate transportation arrangements for the sector.

On the other hand farmers are saying that since there are no reliable transport facilities they are not inclined to increase production.” Field-Ridley said that currently CARICOM is looking into a study involving shippers, exporters and producers to identify the bottlenecks and make recommendations for the policymakers. According to Nisa Surujbally, programme manager, agriculture at the CARICOM Secretariat, part of the Caribbean’s transportation issues date back to the colonial era when there was a system in place that catered to the logistics of the traditional commodities rice, bananas and sugar. “They had everything well mapped out. There was an assured market with good prices and a full infrastructure was developed,” she said. Other crops didn’t have the same level of institutional and infrastructural support and policy support to address the constraints, Surudjbally noted. Part of the solution, according to her, is the establishment of linkages and the involvement of service providers to build a platform between suppliers and transportation providers. (Caribbean News Now!)

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Jamaica Shares Experience In Reducing Food Import Bill

President of the Jamaica Agriculture Society (JAS), Norman Grant, says agriculture “is not the Cinderella of the economy of the region; it is the lifeblood”. By Kenton Chance GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands -- The head of Jamaica’s largest farmers association says the rest of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) can draw on his country’s experience as the region continues to battle with its US$5 billion annual food import bills. Norman Grant, president of the Jamaica Agriculture Society (JAS), an umbrella association of farmers, noted that Jamaica, through its “Grow What We Eat and Eat What We Grow” campaign has over the last decades made some progress in curbing the amount of money leaving the country to buy food overseas. He told a session dubbed “Sustainable and Proﬁtable Value Chains in the Caribbean” during Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA), taking place in the Cayman Islands this week, that developed countries celebrate the fact that they attained that status through agriculture. Grant told regional stakeholders that the campaign, which was launched in 2003, appealed to Jamaica’s 2.7 million citizens and its more than 220,000 farmers. “And the achievement is just remarkable,” Grants said, adding that the campaign was

launched at a time when his country -which along with Trinidad and Tobago are CARICOM’s largest importers of food -was importing a weighted average of US$100 million in food yearly. “Our domestic crop production was somewhere in the region of just over 400,000 metric tonnes,” Grant said, telling participants that, just ten years later, Jamaica has reduced its weighted average annual food import bill by US$60 million “And let’s do the maths because, by extrapolation, the campaign, the work of the farmers, has saved the Jamaican economy close to US$500 million,” he said, adding that domestic crop production has increased from 400,000 metric tonnes to over 600,000 metric tonnes. He told the gathering, which included representatives of farmers’ organisations, farmers, and policymakers, that within a period of 10 to 12 years, Jamaica has increased its domestic crop production by 25 percent. “This means that the sector grew by a weighted average of 2 percent per annum, which makes it the only sector within the Jamaican economy that has grown by as much as 2 percent over the period of time, when you find that even the economic growth rate in the United States is less than 2 percent.” Grant said that this shows that the agricultural sector has a tremendous role to play not only in Jamaica but also across the region. “And I share this example because in this Caribbean Week of Agriculture … we want to establish the reality that the agricultural sector is not the Cinderella of the economy of the region. It is the lifeblood. It is our reason for survival, it is our way to economic transformation and prosperity for our people.” Grant said that Jamaica has been able to reduce food import by increasing production of certain commodities, to the point where it is self sufficient in poultry and eggs. “One time, we were importing 90 percent of the Irish potato [consumed]. Again, spearheaded by efforts of CaFAN (Caribbean Farmers Network), assistance of CTA (Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation), IICA (InterAmerican Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture) and other agencies, including

the ministry of agriculture, in particular, we are now producing close to 95 percent of the demand for Irish potato as a result of the support we are giving to our farmers. And that, we think, is tremendous,” Grant said. He said that Jamaica also produces a lot of the pork consumed there. “So we have a lot more to gain,” he said, adding that the country is doing well because the farmers have responded to an important need. Grant, however, said that finance is “an important plank” in the progress his country has made in the agricultural sector. “This conference needs to ensure that we come out of it with some clear solutions as it relates to … financing that is accessible,” telling participants that in Jamaica, the development bank has loan guarantees for farmers. “What you find is that a lot of our farmers do have great ideas but the lack of collateral makes it very difficult for them to access loans. So that is an important gap that we need to fill: the question of pushing from where we sit in this region to ensure that we accelerate the issue of land reform and the whole question of land titling, where our farmers are on lands for several years and they are cultivating on those lands, but they are not able to use those lands as collateral.” He said the impact of Hurricane Matthew on Haiti shows that the issue of insurance needs to be put on the table and he called for a review of the catastrophic insurance programmes in the region. “We need to commit those to discussion so that when we have disasters, you don't find that our farmers, who have invested their own equity and their own time into developing their own programmes has to start from ground zero.” H e u rg e d p a r t i c i p a n t s t o u s e t h e opportunity of CWA 2016 “to ensure that we have clear alignment for the right siding and the correctness of the agricultural landscape in the region. “If we are going to become an independent region, not only economically, but with our food, it is certainly going to be driven by a framework where our farmers have a critical role to play and we in the region are very excited about supporting that,” Grant said. (Caribbean News Now!)

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IDB Ready To Accelerate Jamaica's Transition From Stabilization To Stronger Economic Growth is a vote of conﬁdence in both your A w a r d s f o r F i n a n c i a l a n d

IDB President Luis Moreno MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica -- President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group, Luis Moreno, has assured the prime minister and government of Jamaica that the IDB stands ready to help the country accelerate the transition from financial stabilization to stronger and more inclusion economic growth. “That’s why we’re supporting everything from expanding access to microcredit in rural communities to developing psychometric tools to enable banks to evaluate loan applications from womenowned small businesses, or putting together Jamaica’s first angel investor networks,” the IDB president said. Moreno was speaking at the inauguration of the 19th staging of Foromic 2016, Latin America and the Caribbean’s most important conference on microfinance and entrepreneurship in Montego Bay, Jamaica, on October 24. Moreno also extended congratulations to the government of Jamaica on securing a new standby agreement with the International Monetary Fund. “This

sound economic stewardship and in Jamaica’s prospects, now that it has achieved a more solid foundation,” he said, adding, “This is no small feat in this volatile global economy, and we at the IDB are proud of whatever modest assistance we were able to provide your country in getting to this point.” Given the instability of the global economy, the IDB Group president further noted that the IDB is working with Jamaica and other government across the Caribbean to address the problem of de-risking, “which casts a dark cloud over the region’s chances of a recovery.” “We’ll work closely with your banking regulators and financial institutions to strengthen your knowyour-customer rules and practices. We’ll also knock on as many doors as necessary in capitals around the world to defend the Caribbean’s links to the global banking system,” Moreno said. The IDB has been Jamaica’s main development partner for over 45 years and the Bank’s sovereign guaranteed portfolio as of September 2016 amounts to US$348 million, comprising eight active loans in areas including water and sanitation, fiscal management, social protection, citizen security and public sector efficiency. Prime Minister Andrew Holness in turn expressed gratitude for the support of the IDB, noting that the partnership with the organization has been “amazing”. He also welcomed the staging of Foromic 2016 in Jamaica which has been effective in supporting the growth and development of entrepreneurs across the region. The Foromic inauguration event also recognized innovative initiatives focused on financial inclusion and the development of SMEs in Latin America and the Caribbean. This year, the categories for the Inter-American

Entrepreneurial Innovation were: Innovation in Financial Services to Promote Inclusion and The Local Innovator Award. The Inter-American Aw a r d s f o r F i n a n c i a l a n d Entrepreneurial Innovation in the category of Innovation in Financial Services to Promote Inclusion recognizes organizations that have innovated in financial services and improve the quality of life of traditionally underserved populations in Latin America and the Caribbean. The winners in this category were Banco Estado Chile and Acceso Crediticio from Peru. The Local Innovator Award recognized a micro, small or medium sized business that has created a product (good or service) or process, new marketing method or new organizational method that has significantly improved or changed its market segment on the Jamaican landscape. The award focused on the following categories: i) agriculture, ii) food and agroprocessing, iii) environmental sustainability and energy, ix) and engineering and manufacturing. The Local Innovator Award this year was coordinated by the Jamaican ministry of finance and public service in collaboration with the Scientific Research Council and a local multisectoral team. The winner of the Local Innovator Award was Bio-Tech R&D Institute. All the winners were warmly congratulated by Moreno and Holness. Spearheaded and organized by the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) through its Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF), Foromic 2016 was staged from October 24 to 26 under the theme: “Creating Opportunities through Financial Inclusion.” (Caribbean News Now!)

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Cayman Islands Sports Minister Says National Lottery Signiﬁcant

Osbourne Bodden By Fred Sturrup GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands -The clamour for a national lottery is sounding louder in the region. While in the Cayman Islands, Grand Cayman to be exact, this past weekend, I engaged in an interesting conversation with Osbourne Bodden, the minister of community aﬀairs, youth and sports for t h a t c o u n t r y. A c k n o w l e d g i n g d i p l o m a t i c a l l y, b u t w i t h o u t a n y

reservation whatsoever that at this time, in comparing our two countries, the financial challenge the sports program in the Cayman Islands has, is not “likely” as great as The Bahamas, he indicated that a national lottery is the answer for both sister Caribbean nations. “Since 2000, when I got into (mainstream) politics, I have been lobbying for a national lottery in the Cayman Islands. I am a strong supporter of a lottery and I understand that there is a great need for such a means of consistent money to assist the development of youth and sports. “It’s an issue though that I admit is a tough one. I have not been able to push it further. In the Cayman Islands, the religious sector has so much influence,” explained Bodden. He readily was upfront on another factor. Bodden was quite frank in stating that views on a national lottery differ with his colleagues and those opposed to the government of the Cayman Islands. Such is the case in The Bahamas. There is a strong feeling that the government of The Bahamas, headed by Perry Christie is leaning towards a national lottery. This is the government that pushed through the Gaming Act even though the referendum and the religious fraternity, for the most part, opposed legalizing the numbers game. This time

around, a senior Cabinet minister, Obie Wilchcombe, has come down publicly on the side of a national lottery. He has been loud and clear about his view on the matter in the House of Assembly. In the official opposition, Free National Movement, Member of Parliament Dr Andre Rollins, a former Gaming chairman, favours a national lottery also. Perhaps the climate is more favourable to test the market in a meaningful way, at this moment in time. I see it as something quite necessary. There is nothing un-Godly about a national lottery, I submit. At a time when the nation is struggling financially, the national debt is mounting because of the need to borrow, sticking one’s head in the sand just won’t do. A national lottery would foster a greater funding base for sports, culture and youth. Those areas within our society are essential to nation building. The truth be told though, if they are not financially fortified significantly, there will be lost opportunities for development. Wilchcombe sees the light. So does the loquacious one, Rollins. Across the way, the sports czar in our sister island group of the Caymans, is a proponent of a national lottery. In The Bahamas, today, that is the way to go. (Caribbean News Now!)

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Alleged Child Predator Denied Bail

Source: winnfm.com

St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): A man charged in relation to an alleged attempt to lure a school boy into an isolated area has been denied bail and is now remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison. Greg Boyden, a Jamaican national, was charged last week for Indecent Assault upon a Male Juvenile. A bail hearing slated for Monday was delayed until Tuesday at which time police registered their objection to bail. Boyden was picked up by Defence Force personnel in the heart of Basseterre on October 15th. WINN FM understands that he was taken into custody on Fort Street, and handed over to Police at the

nearby Basseterre Police Station. Boyden was charged in relation to a report of a man attempting to lure a school boy into a ﬁeld by asking for help to carry some heavy bags. The incident took place in the vicinity of a Primary School in Basseterre. WINN FM has received reports that there had been at least two such incidents in the vicinity of primary schools. However, Head of the Criminal Investigations Department Superintendent Dian Mills has told WINN that up to the time when Boyden was taken into custody, police had only received one formal report. (Antigua Observer)

US Embassy Seeks Proposals For Cultural Preservation Fund States’ commitment to preservation and protection of cultural heritage around the world. Since 2001, the fund has awarded $55 million in support of more than 870 projects in more 125 countries. For more information on the program and creating a valid proposal, click here. (Caribbean News Now!) BRIDGETOWN, Barbados -- The US Embassy to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean, and the OECS has issued a call for project proposals for the US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) for 2017. Proposals must be submitted by February 2, 2017, for projects to preserve cultural heritage in Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Dominica; Grenada; St Kitts and Nevis; St Lucia; and St Vincent and the Grenadines. Through the AFCP program, the US Department of State supports projects to preserve cultural heritage in the following three areas: 1. Cultural sites: Such as, but not limited to, historic buildings and archaeological sites. 2. Cultural objects and collections: From a museum, site, or similar institution, including but not limited to, archaeological and ethnographic objects, paintings, sculptures,

manuscripts, and general museum conservation needs. 3. Forms of traditional cultural expression: Such as traditional music, indigenous languages, and crafts. Applicants must meet the following requirements to be eligible: 1. Must be non-commercial entities, such as non-governmental organizations, museums, ministries of culture, or similar institutions and organizations. 2. Must be able to demonstrate that you have the requisite experience and capacity to manage projects to preserve cultural heritage. All eligible applicants must submit their proposals via email to bridgetowngrants@state.gov no later than February 2, 2017. Any proposals submitted after this time will not be accepted. The Department of State established the AFCP at the request of the US Congress in 2001 to demonstrate the United

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

Global Internet Giant Backs Caribbean Technology Development

Albert Daniels, Senior Manager of Stakeholder Engagement for the Caribbean at the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers delivers remarks at the organisation's LAC-IRoadshow in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, October 24, 2016 PHILIPSBURG, St Maarten -- A global Internet giant is partnering with a Caribbean-based group to advance regional technology development. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is joining forces with the Caribbean Network Operators Group (CaribNOG) to build the capacity of the region’s technical community. ICANN coordinates the Internet’s system of unique addresses. The global nonproﬁt organization is dedicated to ensuring an open, stable and secure Internet. “When we started working to develop capacity in the region, we soon realised that CaribNOG had the same goals, and so we quickly decided that by working together, we could accomplish more,” said Albert Daniels, senior manager of stakeholder engagement for the Caribbean at ICANN. Daniels was speaking at the joint opening of ICANN’s LAC-I-Roadshow and CaribNOG’s twelfth regional meeting,

held in Philipsburg, St Maarten, from October 24 to 26. The spirit of collaboration goes far beyond ICANN and CaribNOG. It includes several other major players in the global Internet landscape, such as the Latin American and Caribbean Internet Addresses Registry (LACNIC) and the American Registry of Internet Numbers (ARIN). LACNIC and ARIN are the two regional Internet registries that share responsibility for the Caribbean subregion. “We are pleased to be working together with Carlos Martinez, chief technology oﬃcer of LACNIC, and Mark Kosters, chief technology oﬃcer of ARIN, to deliver training on critical issues such as domain name system security,” Daniels said. The US government helped create ICANN in 1998 with the goal of building a stable, multi-stakeholder organisation that could take over the management of the Internet’s naming and number system. To accomplish this goal, the US Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration partnered with ICANN to transition important coordination functions, known as the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) functions, to the private sector.

On October 1, the IANA stewardship function was formally transitioned to the global multi-stakeholder community. At LAC-I-Roadshow, Daniels presented on technical issues like cyber security, and policy issues such as the IANA stewardship transition. The slate of international experts conducted handson sessions covering a broad range of topics, including Internet exchange points. The LAC-I-Roadshow and CaribNOG 12 are part of Internet Week St Maarten, a ﬁve-day conference focused on developing the Caribbean Internet. The three-day gathering was supported by the Caribbean Telecommunications Union; the American Registry for Internet Numbers; Packet Clearing House; ArkiTechs and The BrightPath Foundation. Internet Week St Maarten ends with St Maarten on the Move, a twoday event jointly hosted by the Internet Society (ISOC) and the Latin American and Caribbean Internet Addresses registry (LACNIC). The weeklong conference is coordinated by the St Maarten telecommunications regulator, BTP. It is open to the public and free of charge, with a live video stream for remote participants. (Caribbean News Now!)

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BET Founder Proposes $14 Billion Revenue Solution For Puerto Rico

Robert Johnson SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Robert Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET) and majority owner of

Caribbean CAGE LLC, in a letter dated October 25, 2016 to the Puerto Rican Control Board, outlined a $14 billion revenue plan over the next 20 years that the Puerto Rico Department of Treasury can immediately implement. The proposal calls for the elimination and conversion of approximately 100,000 illegal gambling machines to be replaced with approximately 30,000 fully regulated and government authorized video lottery terminals (VLTs) connected by a system to the Puerto Rico Treasury Department for tax transparency, compliance and collection purposes. Johnson's letter details the financial capability and professional expertise of the CAGE team, which includes four of the largest gaming companies in the world – Scientific Games, IGT/GTECH, Aristocrat Gaming, and Inspire Gaming. In addition, the CAGE proposal includes local Puerto Rico firms including Banco Popular and telecommunications

company Claro. Johnson stated, "The CAGE team has spent several years researching and developing a legal VLT-gaming platform and operational system for Puerto Rico, much like those that exist in 12 states in the United States. Not only is the CAGE team committed to investing in Puerto Rico and the people of Puerto Rico, we are also encouraged by the political and business leaders in Puerto Rico who recognize the necessity for Puerto Rico to rid itself of its underground economy, like non-taxable gambling, and deploy a legal system that would generate muchneeded revenue for economic development, job creation, and improve education and social services. I am convinced that the government of Puerto Rico is committed to a transparent and accountable economic and ﬁnancial system and will welcome the business opportunity we propose." (Caribbean News Now!)

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EU-Canada Trade Deal: Belgians Break Ceta Deadlock Belgian political leaders have reached a consensus in support of the Ceta trade deal between the EU and Canada, Prime Minister Charles Michel has said. He said an agreement had been found at the latest round of negotiations with Belgium's French-speaking communities who had been holding up the deal. A signing ceremony on Thursday was cancelled after the region of Wallonia vetoed the agreement. A Belgian deal would still have to be approved by the other 27 EU members. Under Belgium's federal system, the national government cannot sign the deal unless all six regional parliaments approve it. French-speaking Wallonia, a staunchly socialist region of 3.6 million people, had been leading objections to the deal, demanding stronger safeguards on labour, environmental and consumer standards. But after the latest round of marathon talks, Mr Michel tweeted: "All parliaments are now able to approve by tomorrow at midnight. Important step for EU and Canada." He said the heads of the regions had drawn up an addendum to the agreement that answered regional concerns over the rights of farmers and governments. The addendum still needs the approval of Canada and other EU states. Canada's Foreign Minister Stephane Dion welcomed the announcement. "If it materialises, it's excellent news," he said during a visit to Paris, adding he was "cautiously optimistic". European Council President Donald Tusk tweeted, "Only once all procedures are ďŹ nalised for EU signing CETA, will

I contact PM @JustinTrudeau". Tweet saying Tweet saying Image copyrightTWITTER The deal was welcomed by the head of the Walloon government, Paul Magnette. "Wallonia is extremely happy that our demands were heard," he said. "If we took a bit of time, what we achieved here is important, not only for Wallonia but for all Europeans," he added. It took seven years to negotiate Ceta, the EU's most ambitious trade deal yet. A major stumbling block had been the plan to create new commercial courts to handle disputes between companies and national governments. Wallonia had feared they would give too much leverage to multinationals. It also wanted more protection for Walloon farmers, who would face new competition from Canadian imports. The Ceta wrangling has raised new concerns about future UK negotiations with the EU on a Brexit trade deal. (BBC)

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel called it an "important step for the EU and Canada"(JOHN THYS)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS Italy Earthquakes: Widespread Damage In Historic Towns Historic buildings in central Italy have been badly damaged by two strong tremors. Locals here are worried, however, that the PAGE 107

two strong earthquakes that forced hundreds of residents out of their homes. It was "miraculous" no deaths had been reported, Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said. Dozens of people were treated for shock or light injuries. Rescue teams have been struggling to reach some areas but officials say the situation is not "catastrophic". A quake rocked the same region in August, killing at least 298 people. Wednesday evening's 5.5magnitude quake struck near Visso in Macerata province, followed by a 6.1 magnitude tremor in the same area two hours later. The first tremor sent people running out of their houses, potentially saving lives when the second stronger quake struck. Numerous smaller aftershocks followed. Many houses have been badly damaged, forcing out hundreds of residents, who spent the night in cars and emergency shelters. Temporary shelter was being offered to people whose homes were at risk. The quakes were felt across central Italy, including in the capital, Rome, where buildings shook and doors and windows rattled. The mayor of Ussita, 5km (3 miles) west of Visso, told Sky Italia: "Many houses have collapsed. Our town is finished." In Visso itself, Mayor Giuliano Pazzaglini said about twothirds of buildings were unsafe and there was a shortage of drinking water and adequate sanitation. He said most of the buildings damaged had already been weakened by the 24 August earthquake. Police were reported to be restricting access to Visso's historic centre after the quake brought boulders down on to nearby roads. The town of Camerino is also thought to have been badly damaged. In Campo, near Norcia in the Umbria region, the 15th-Century San Salvatore church collapsed. It had been weakened by the earthquake in August. The light of day after a night of torrential rain has allowed emergency workers here to get a better picture of the damage. The scenes in the affected areas are nothing like the devastation we saw in the town of Amatrice just over two months ago. That also explains the lack of casualties after the

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

damage to tourist attractions in the area, like some centuries-old churches, may badly aﬀect the coming winter tourist season. And the series of strong aftershocks overnight is making people anxious here. But Italy's civil defence chief, Fabrizio Curcio, said the situation was not "as catastrophic as might have been expected" despite the problems caused by boulders. As teams worked through the night, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi tweeted: "I want to thank those working in the rain in the earthquake zones. All of Italy is wrapping its arms around the communities that have been hit once again." Visso is 70km (45 miles) from Amatrice, which was badly damaged in the 6 magnitude quake in August. The new tremors are linked to the quake of two months ago, Italian oﬃcials say. "Aftershocks can last for a long time, sometimes for months," AFP news agency quoted Mario Tozzi of Italy's National Institute of Geophysics as saying. (BBC)

This church in Campi di Norcia collapsed(REUTERS)

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Russia Syria: Battle Group 'Refuels Off North Africa’ A battle group including Russia's only aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, is reportedly refuelling at sea off North Africa en route to Syria. Plans for some of the ships to dock at a Spanish port were cancelled after Nato allies voiced concern. Nato is concerned planes form the carrier could be used to attack civilians in the Syrian city of Aleppo. The naval battle group has been sailing for the past week from Russia to the Mediterranean. The Kuznetsov can carry dozens of fighter bombers and helicopters. The BBC's Jonathan Marcus reports from Brussels that the battle group is currently at anchor off the North African coast and taking on fuel. The group has two "oilers" (tankers) with it and its is not clear which of the vessels is actually refuelling, our world affairs correspondent adds. The Russian embassy in Madrid formally withdrew a request to Spain for refuelling after being approached by the Spanish foreign ministry. "Given the information which appeared on the possibility that these ships would participate in supporting military action in the Syrian city of Aleppo, the ministry of foreign affairs requested clarification from the embassy of the Russian Federation in Madrid," the Spanish foreign ministry had said on Wednesday in a statement to the BBC. It added that permission had been granted in September for three Russian ships to dock in the port of Ceuta between 28 October and 2 November. It said such stops for Russian naval vessels had taken place for years in Spanish ports. Map showing route of Russian flotilla Nato had said the final decision on resupply rested with Spain. "We are concerned and I have expressed that very clearly about the potential use of this battle group to increase Russia's ability and to be a platform for air strikes against Syria," Nato's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told journalists on Tuesday. The naval group also includes a

nuclear-powered battle cruiser, two anti-submarine warships and four support vessels, probably escorted by submarines. The battle group is expected to join about 10 other Russian vessels already off the Syrian coast. Some 2,700 people have been killed or injured since the Russian-backed Syrian offensive started last month, according to activists. Western leaders have said Russian and Syrian air strikes on Aleppo could amount to war crimes, an accusation rejected by Russia. About 250,000 civilians who live in Aleppo have been trapped by the fighting. Moscow announced last week a "humanitarian pause" in attacks as part of a plan to allow civilians and fighters to leave the area. (BBC)

Russia's only aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, will join Russian vessels already oﬀ the Syrian coast(PA)

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Sakharov Prize: Yazidi Women Win EU Freedom Prize Two Yazidi women who escaped sexual enslavement by socalled Islamic State (IS) in Iraq have won Europe's top human rights award, the Sakharov prize. Nadia Murad Basee and Lamiya Aji Bashar were among thousands of Yazidi girls and women abducted by IS militants and forced into sexual slavery in 2014. But both survived and now campaign for the Yazidi community. The freedom of thought prize is awarded annually in memory of Andrei Sakharov, a Soviet scientist and dissident. The two women were nominated by the liberal Alde group in the European Parliament. Group leader Guy Verhofstadt described them as "inspirational women who have shown incredible bravery and humanity in the face of despicable brutality". European Parliament President Martin Schulz said it was "a very symbolic and significant decision to support these two survivors who came to Europe as refugees". He went on: "We as [the] European parliament are now supporting them in their fight for, not only the dignity we have to grant to everybody, but also for their fight to give testimony as a witness to these atrocities." Spoils of war' Tens of thousands of Yazidis were forced to flee their homes after IS fighters took the northern Iraqi town of Sinjar in August 2014. Thousands of women and girls were treated as "spoils of war" and openly sold in slave markets to IS militants. They were separated from the men and boys, many of whom were shot dead. Ms Murad was 19 when she was abducted from her home in the village of Kocho, near Sinjar, and taken to Mosul, where she was tortured and raped. She later managed to flee, but she lost six brothers and her mother in the Sinjar assault. Ms Bashar, also from Kocho, attempted to flee her captors several times during her 20 months in captivity before she finally succeeded. She was just 16 when she was abducted. Yazidis, whose religion includes

elements of several faiths, are considered inﬁdels by IS. The UN says IS committed genocide against Yazidis in Iraq and Syria in a premeditated attempt to exterminate an entire community of 400,000 people. A number of Yazidi mass graves were discovered north of Sinjar mountain after Kurdish forces retook the town in November 2015. Since her escape, Ms Murad has become a prominent advocate in highlighting the plight of the Yazidis in the region. Other ﬁnalists for the Sakharov prize included Crimean Tatar activist Mustafa Dzhemilev and exiled Turkish journalist Can Dundar. Last year's winner was Saudi blogger Raif Badawi, who is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence which includes 1,000 lashes for "insulting Islam" online. (BBC)

Nadia Murad explains how she escaped Islamic State in Iraq more than two years ago

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS UK Economy Grows 0.5% In Three Months After Brexit Vote PAGE 110

The UK's service sector helped the economy to grow faster than expected in the three months after the Brexit vote, official figures have indicated. The economy expanded by 0.5% in the July-to-September period, according to the Office for National Statistics. That was slower than the 0.7% rate in the previous quarter, but stronger than analysts' estimates of about 0.3%. "There is little evidence of a pronounced effect in the immediate aftermath of the vote," the ONS said. The stronger than expected growth will further dampen expectations that the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee will cut interest rates next week. The economy has slowed slightly but by nothing like as much as feared and the Office for National Statistics says that "the pattern of growth continues to be broadly unaffected following the EU referendum". That pattern is however a rather unbalanced one, the only sector of the economy that continued to grow was services up by 0.8%; agriculture, manufacturing production and construction all shrank. Brexit supporters will take these figures as a sign that warnings about the economic costs of voting to leave the EU were nothing more than scaremongering. Remain supporters will argue that they were warning about potential damage over a period of several years. They say that only prompt action by the Bank of England saved deeper damage to the economy and that worse is to come. Welcoming the figures, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Phillip Hammond said: "The fundamentals of the UK economy are strong and today's data show that the economy is resilient." However, Labour's Shadow Treasury Minister, Jonathan Reynolds said: "Continued disappointing, sluggish growth shows the failures of the Tories' economic approach after six years in power, especially for the manufacturing sector which shows little sign of benefiting from lower sterling. Dominant services The economy was boosted by a particularly strong performance from the services sector, which grew by 0.8% in the quarter. Transport, storage and communication was the strongest part of the service sector, growing by 2.2%. That was the fastest pace since 2009 and was helped by a healthy quarter for the UK's film industry. The latest films in the Jason Bourne and Star Trek franchises were released in July along with other popular productions, lifting takings at box offices. ONS chief economist Jo Grice said "A strong performance in the dominant services industries continued to offset further falls in construction, while manufacturing continued to be broadly flat." This is the first estimate of economic growth

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

for the period, using less than half the data that will be used for the final estimate. While growth in the services sector was robust, the construction sector contracted by 1.4% and industrial production fell 0.4%, with manufacturing output down 1%. "In manufacturing, the contraction in output should be attributed to some unwinding of the massive growth spike seen in the second quarter, rather than industry scaling back production for any referendum related reasons," said Lee Hopley, chief economist at the EEF, the manufacturers' organisation. "In line with the raft of survey data the GDP estimates confirm that it has been more or less business as usual but it doesn't tell us, however, if this will continue for the foreseeable future." Resilient' No in-depth breakdown of consumer spending was released in this set of figures, but Howard Archer, UK economist at IHS Global Insight, said: "It looks certain that third-quarter growth was also heavily dependent on consumers' willingness to keep spending, supported by still decent purchasing power and high employment. "Consumer spending also clearly benefited from the weakened pound encouraging spending by overseas visitors to the UK. The weakened pound also supported foreign orders for UK goods and services." However, the "resilient" post-referendum performance does not say anything about the UK's ability to perform outside of the EU, said Berenberg's senior UK economist, Kallum Pickering. "Today's data does not alter our long-term view that Brexit will lower UK trend growth, to around 1.8% from 2.2% per year, via less trade, migration and investment with its major market, the EU," he added. (BBC)

Phillip Hammond described the UK economy as "resilient”

INTERNATIONAL

GUYANA DAILY NEWS Dreamworld: Australia Theme Park Under Fire From Victims' Families PAGE 111

The owners of Australia's Dreamworld have been criticised for not directly contacting the families of the four people killed on one of its rides. The family of two of the victims was said to be "furious" after the theme park's parent company claimed it had offered assistance. Ardent Leisure's CEO, Deborah Thomas, has promised to donate her bonus to the victims' families via the Red Cross. Plans to reopen the park on Friday for a memorial will now not go ahead. Dreamworld said in a statement that police had advised they needed more time to complete their investigation. partner. Cindy Low was not known to the three. The victims have been named as Kate Goodchild, 32, her brother Luke Dorsett, 35, Mr Dorsett's partner, Roozbeh Araghi, 38, and Cindy Low, a 42-year-old New Zealand citizen who lived in Sydney. They died when their raft on the Thunder River Rapids ride collided with another and flipped over. A 10-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl, who media reports say were related to the victims, were also on the raft. They were thrown free and survived. Ardent Leisure were scrutinised in the media for proceeding with a scheduled annual general meeting in Sydney on Thursday morning where Ms Thomas was awarded her performance bonus for the past financial year. At an emotionally charged news briefing afterwards, the chief executive said the company had "finally made contact with the Dorsett family" to offer assistance. But Ten News reporter Melinda Nucifora told Ms Thomas that the Dorsett family was watching on TV and had texted to say they were "furious" at the suggestion. "They say that they've had no direct contact whatsoever. No one's even reached out to them," Ms Nucifora said. Ms Thomas clarified her comments to say the company had been in touch through police, but had not spoken directly to the family "because we didn't know how to contact them" and asked for their phone number. The visibly emotional executive finished the news conference by addressing the family directly, to give her "sincere sympathies for what you must be going through". "Our hearts and our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. And I will be calling you to see what assistance we can offer you." Ms Thomas announced late on Thursday she was donating 100% of her A$167,500 (£100,000; $125,000) annual bonus "directed to support people affected by this tragic event" through the Red Cross. 'Catastrophic event' Ardent Leisure has defended its safety record and added that the Thunder River Rapids ride had recently passed its annual safety inspection. However, legal commentators have already speculated that the firm's directors could face

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

serious legal consequences. "Cases like this generally aren't just freak accidents, it's generally a series of events or something has actually gone wrong to result in such a significant catastrophic event," Brisbane-based personal injury lawyer Alison Barrett told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. "If Dreamworld is prosecuted, the highest penalty is up to A$3 million for a corporation. So Dreamworld itself, and then the directors themselves can also be held personally liable and face up to five years in jail and other hefty penalties." Worst amusement park accidents Eight teenagers were killed in a 1984 fire at the Six Flags Great Adventure amusement park in New Jersey, US. Arsonists are believed to have started the blaze Six people died in a failed simulated rocket launch in Shenzhen, China, in 2010. One of the cars on the centrifuge ride became loose, lost power and the ride fell to the ground in flames with 44 people inside Five children were killed when the Battersea Park Big Dipper malfunctioned in the UK in 1972. Rope hauling cars to the top of launch slope broke and a safety mechanism failed, causing cars to roll into the boarding area Three died at the Galaxyland Amusement Park in Alberta, Canada, in 1986. The last car of a four-car train on the Mindbender triple loop ride came away from the track, throwing off passengers before crashing into a concrete pillar One person died in a rollercoaster accident at Expoland in Osaka, Japan, in 2007; another was killed at the Darien Lake theme park in New York State, US, in 2011 Sixteen people - including two teenage girls who needed leg amputations - were injured at UK's Alton Towers park in 2015. Operators failed to notice a stationary car on the 14-loop Smiler ride and overrode the stop mechanism, sending the next car into it (BBC)

People have been arriving at the park to pay tribute since Tuesday's accident(EPA)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

Calais 'Jungle' Children With Nowhere To Sleep Dozens of unaccompanied minors were left in the children in Calais during the clearance operation "Jungle" camp in Calais overnight, despite French officials declaring the camp now empty. Aid workers say about 100 young people slept rough, but the head of the regional government said it was 68. Fabienne Buccio also claimed some of those who remained overnight were not originally from the "Jungle" camp. Nearly 5,600 people have been moved to reception centres since Monday, the government said (in French). This includes about 1,500 unaccompanied minors being housed in an on-site container camp, which activists say is now full. The camp has become a key symbol of Europe's migration crisis, with its residents desperate to reach the UK. Demolition crews are continuing to clear remaining tents and shelters from the area, which were damaged in fires reportedly set by departing migrants. Caroline Gregory of Calais A c t i o n , a B r i t i s h c h a r i t y, s a i d a b o u t 1 0 0 unaccompanied children had been left in the camp overnight. "We were begging the French authorities to actually do something about the refugee children and nothing was done," she told the BBC on Thursday. Volunteers found shelter for the children in a warehouse where many of the migrants were being processed, as well as a makeshift school inside the camp. Some of the youths slept on the ground outside one of the centres that was being used to register migrants for relocation over the past three days. "I spent the entire night here," one young Afghan told the AFP news agency. "I am in the queue for minors to go to England. I have family there." French police, meanwhile, say they are still finding migrants in shelters who do not want to leave. Ms Buccio, the prefect of the Pas-de-Calais region, said that those who had slept in the camp overnight had travelled from other parts of France. She had earlier declared the operation "mission accomplished". The 68 children found will be moved to centres elsewhere in France, she continued, but there will be no more buses to take migrants to reception centres. The camp could not become a magnet for anyone who wants to get a place in the centre, she warned. She said the site would be completely cleared by Monday. The UK Home Office said French authorities were responsible for "all

including those being assessed for possible transfer to the UK". Fires have been lit during the clearance work this week - one man was reportedly injured when a gas canister exploded in the flames. More than 1,200 police officers have been deployed for the clearance operation. The camp is unpopular locally and has required a large security presence to prevent migrants reaching the UK on lorries or trains heading across the Channel. Since the start of the week, French authorities have been bussing thousands of people to shelters and centres where they will be able to seek asylum. A total of 5,596 people, including children, have been transported from the Jungle for resettlement, the French government says. This includes 234 minors brought to the UK since last week. The camp had an estimated 6,000-8,000 residents. Authorities fear they will return to set up camp again once the clearance operation is over. The Jungle camp is near the port of Calais and close to the 31-mile (50km) Channel Tunnel Officially about 7,000 migrants live in the camp. The Help Refugees agency said the final population ahead of its demolition was 8,143 The camp was halved in area earlier this year but the population continued to rise, and reports of violence have increased Many migrants attempt to hide themselves in cargo vehicles entering the Channel Tunnel The area has been hit by protests from both locals and truck operators (BBC)

Migrants were waiting for buses to move them out of the 'jungle' early on Thursday(AP)

INTERNATIONAL

GUYANA DAILY NEWS Hamburg Gang Rape Teenagers' Suspended Sentences Spark Anger PAGE 113

Tens of thousands of Germans have signed a petition demanding a group of teenagers are jailed for a brutal rape. The teenagers were given suspended jail terms last week after the judge decided they had shown "remorse". The boys, aged 14, 16 and 17, sexually assaulted a girl, 14, in Hamburg in February while another girl filmed the attack. They then left the victim for dead in the freezing cold. Prosecutors have already launched an appeal against the sentences. The girl was hypothermic when she was found and had to be rushed to intensive care to save her life. But while the judge said the gang had "thrown her away like garbage", only a 21-year-old was given an immediate sentence of four years in prison. 'A piece of meat' The three teenage boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, have been given suspended sentences of between 16 months and two years. The leniency of the punishment has sparked outrage in Germany, where a number of high profile cases - including the Cologne attacks at New Year - have pushed the subject of sexual assault and how to punish it to the fore. Rape has previously been hard to prosecute successfully in Germany as a person had to defend themselves physically for it to be called an assault. The law was amended in July, clarifying that just saying no means no. The boys in the Hamburg case admitted their guilt, but a petition demanding their sentences are revised has attracted nearly 90.000 signatures in a week. "The sexual self-determination and integrity of a woman must have more weight here than worrying about the offender," the petition said. "It can not be

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

that a quadruple gang rape of a 14-year-old ends with a suspended sentence. Especially when the girl was then placed like a piece of meat and half-naked in the cold," the statement added. In a similar case in the US earlier this year, a judge sparked outrage after giving Stanford student Brock Turner, 20, a four month sentence for assaulting an unconscious woman. He expressed concern for the impact a jail sentence would have on the swimmer, whose father said should not have been jailed at all for "20 minutes of action". (BBC)

The girl was left outside in Hamburg's freezing February temperatures

INTERNATIONAL

GUYANA DAILY NEWS Mosul Battle: IS 'Loses Hundreds Of Fighters' - US Generals PAGE 114

Hundreds of Islamic State militants are thought to have been killed since Iraqi forces launched an offensive to retake Mosul last week, the US military says. Two generals said the jihadist group had suffered the losses as troops and allied fighters, backed by US-led air strikes, advanced on several axes. Up to 5,000 IS fighters were believed to be in Mosul ahead of the assault. Despite the territorial gains, commanders have warned that securing Mosul could take weeks, if not months. About 50,000 Iraqi security forces personnel, Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, Sunni Arab tribesmen and Shia militiamen are involved in the operation. More than 100 US military personnel are embedded with them, advising commanders and helping direct coalition air strikes. Other US troops are providing fire support from nearby bases. Lt Gen Stephen Townsend, the commander of US forces in Iraq, said on Wednesday that the coalition forces had delivered more than 2,100 aerial bombs, artillery and mortar shells, rockets and missiles since 17 October. "This relentless campaign of strikes has removed hundreds of fighters, weapons, and key leaders from the battlefield in front of the Iraqi advance," he added. On Thursday, the head of the US military's Central Command, Gen Joseph Votel, told the AFP news agency: "Just in the operations over the last week and a half associated with Mosul, we estimate they've probably killed about 800-900 Islamic State fighters." The Iraqi government informed US commanders on Wednesday that 57 Iraqi soldiers had been killed and about 250 wounded. Kurdish Peshmerga fighters are thought to have suffered about 20 to 30 fatalities. Despite the removal of hundreds militants from the battlefield, Gen Townsend warned that IS defences were likely to grow stronger the closer they got to Mosul. The group had "used an extraordinary amount of indirect fire - mortars, artillery and rockets - and an exceptional number of VBIEDs (Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices)," he told reporters during a visit to the Qayyarah airbase. Fierce resistance by jihadists has held up soldiers in the

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

Shura area, 40km (25 miles) south of Mosul, prompting elite Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) forces to pause their advance near the village of Bazwaya, only 6km east of the city. CTS commander Brig Gen Haider Fadhil told the Associated Press his forces would wait for other units to reach Mosul's outskirts before entering the city. But he stressed: "The operation has not been stopped and is proceeding as planned." Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) said it had trained 90 Iraqi medics in "mass casualty management" as part of its preparations for the Mosul operation, with a special focus on responding to chemical attacks, AP reported. IS has previously used chemical weapons in attacks on Iraqi and coalition forces, and there are fears that it might do so again inside Mosul, where more than a million civilians live. Some 11,700 residents have ﬂed since the oﬀensive began and, according to the UN's worst-case scenario, as many as 700,000 others could follow suit. "There's been quite a dramatic upturn in the last few days," said Karl Schembri of the Norwegian Refugee Council, who warned that there were currently only spaces in camps for 60,000 people. The WHO is working on the assumption that 200,000 of them will require emergency health services, including more than 90,000 children needing vaccinations and 8,000 pregnant women. (BBC)

Iraqi security forces advancing towards Mosul from the south have faced ﬁerce resistance(REUTERS)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016

US Election: 'Cruel' Trump Claim Annoys Muslim Family Republican Donald Trump has been criticised by the family of a dead Muslim soldier after saying as president he would have kept him alive. "Had I been president, Captain Khan would be alive today. We wouldn't have been in this horrible, horrible mistake, the war in Iraq," he said. The soldier's father, Khizr Khan, said it was a "cruel" remark. He is campaigning for Hillary Clinton, who makes her ďŹ rst joint appearance with First Lady Michelle Obama later. Mr Khan's son Humayun was killed by a car bomb in 2004 in Iraq at the age of 27. Their grief became part of the presidential campaign in July when Khizr Khan made an emotional speech at the Democratic Convention attacking Mr Trump for anti-Muslim rhetoric, as his wife stood next to him. The Republican candidate's reaction, in which he implied the mother was not allowed to speak up, attracted strong condemnation from within his own party. Speaking to ABC News in an interview aired on Thursday, Mr Trump repeated his insistence that their son would be alive, but added he believed the soldier was a "great hero". In response, Mr Khan said: "This is the most cruel thing you can say to grieving parents, that if I was there this would not have happened." In other campaign development: Mr Trump complained again about media bias, saying it was "the greatest pile-on in American history" Mrs Clinton and Mrs Obama will share a stage in Winston Salem in North Carolina on Thursday Texas Senator Ted Cruz has said Republicans may decline to ďŹ ll the vacancy on the bench of the Supreme Court A former Republican congressman has said he will take up arms if Mrs Clinton wins Former Illinois Representative Joe Walsh tweeted: "On November 8th, I'm voting for Trump. On November 9th, if Trump loses, I'm grabbing my musket. You

in?" He later said he was speaking metaphorically about "acts of civil disobedience". Mrs Clinton's campaign is dealing with more questions arising from hacked emails published by Wikileaks. The Trump campaign has seized on the latest dump to suggest the line between Bill Clinton's personal income and the donations for the Clinton Foundation has been blurred. Doug Band, a top aide to Mr Clinton, said in an email that he had solicited donations to the foundation and also generated personal income for him through gifts and paid speeches. What happens next? The two candidates will spend the remaining 12 days before the election criss-crossing the country in their bid to persuade undecided voters. Expect to see lots of appearances in battleground states such as Ohio, North Carolina, Florida and Pennsylvania Voters will go to the polls on Tuesday 8 November to decide who becomes the 45th president of the US The new president will be inaugurated on 20 January 2017 (BBC)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2016

Finance Minister Silent On Funding For GECOM, Other Budget Cuts cut in GECOM’s 2017 budget from GYD$5.8 billion to GYD$2 billion. These agencies include, the Parliament Office, Office of the Auditor General, Public and Police Service Commission, Teaching Service Commission, Supreme Court, the Guyana Elections Commission, Public Prosecutions Office, Office of the Ombudsman, the Public Service Appellate Tribunal, Ethnic Relations Commission, Judicial Service Commission, Indigenous Peoples’ Commission, Human Rights Commission, Rights of the Child Commission, Women and Gender Equality Commission and the Public Procurement Commission.

Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan was silent when the People Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) questioned him on whether he would consider additional funding for the Guyana Elections Commissions (GECOM) to allow the entity to conducted its planned house to house registration in 2017. The minister, by way of general comment had reiterated that if the ﬁscal proﬁle for 2017 improves or other considerations comes in to play, the government is willing to eentertain additional requests by the constitutional bodies and that this would be “ditto” to every question and concerns the opposition had about the constitutional agencies budgetary allocation. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) noted during consideration of estimates for the 17 Constitutional agencies that there has been a 38 percent

The Finance Minister was questioned by Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira’s about whether he was aware that the Commission had decided to hold house to house registration to which he did not rrespond . However, House Speaker, Dr. Barton Scotland had blocked that and several questions by PPPC parliamentarians about whether the GYD$2,029,932 allocation had taken into consideration a decision by GECOM to hold the house-to-house registration next year saying the rules prohibited parliamentarians from scrutinizing the operational aspects and projects by the constitutional bodies. The House Speaker also blocked PPPC MP, Zulfikar Mustapha from inquiring if the Finance Minister was aware that GECOM was considering electronic registration, electronic voting, electronic identification and electronic tabulation. Addressing other budget cuts, Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) and Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, brought to the House’s attention that the Parliament Office had requested $1.7 Billion but this was

reduced to $1.5Billon. Teixeira called on the Finance Minister to explain to National Assembly why the requested amount from the “highest law making body in the land,” was reduced.

Minister of Foreign Aﬀairs, Carl Greenidge, in defending the minister said that that all agencies propose sums and the Finance Minister has to use his discretion in allocating sums for Agencies. Opposition MP, Irfaan Alli, noted that the Minister’s actions were based on the “projected revenue assumptions”, and called for an explanation. No answers were given to the questions which saw Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, in also trying to defend the minister accused the opposition that while in Government, they refused to allow the Constitutional Agencies any ﬁnancial independence and as the former government exploited their powers to restrict the monies available for the Constitutional Agencies.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL FRIDAY OCTOBER 28, 2016

Commissioners Of Long Awaited PPC Sworn In After key legislation was passed in the National Assembly in appointment and challenged them to uphold the oath which early August, members of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) were finally sworn in by President David Granger on Friday at the Ministry of the Presidency. The Commissioners include, Attorney-at-law Emily Dodson; Programme manager at CARICOM Secretariat Carol Corbin; Small Business official, Sukrishnalall Pasha; Ivor English and former Labour Minister, Dr. Nanda Gopaul. The PPC consists of five members with experience of procurement, legal, financial and administrative matters and will bring an end to cabinet’s role in the award of multi-million dollar contracts. These persons were nominated by the Appointments Committee and were approved by two-thirds of the elected members of the National Assembly on August 8. Under provisions of the Constitution, the President could only appoint members of the PPC after their nomination has been approved in the House, and by a twothirds majority. In brief remarks following the swearing in, President Granger said that the PPC’s authority “must never be diminished or ignored” and noted that the establishment of the Commission represents respect for the “supreme law of the land.” The President congratulated the commissioners on the

they took. He also charged them to uphold the constitutional duty of the commission to be independence, impartial and fair.

President Granger, Members of the PPC, Minister of Public Security (Khemraj Ramjattan) and Minister of Social Cohesion(Amna Ally)

Cummings Lodge Man Charged With 2015 Murder Twenty –nine-year old resident of Cummings Lodge, Jameel Junior Young appeared in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan charged with murder which he allegedly committed on March 10, 2015. He is slated to return before the court on November 17, 2016 for report and continuation into the matter. The accused, who is employed in the interior, was not allowed to enter a plea to the indictable charge, however in an outburst before the court; he accused the oﬃcers who arrested him of beating him so that he would sign a confession statement. It is alleged that Young murdered 27 -year-old Randy Persaud of Agricola, East Bank Demerara on the day in question. According to reports, Persaud who had just returned to Guyana from Suriname was sitting in front his home at Third Street, Agricola when he was gunned down. It is believed that Persaud was murdered as a result of a monies owed to individuals.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

LOCAL FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2016

Government promises to end “Blackouts” Cabinet Secretary, Joseph Harmon has noted that Coast have complained bitterly about the recent the recent spate of “blackouts” in Demerara, Essequibo and Bartica was caused by problems by the Guyana Power and Light Inc. in relations to its maintenance schedule and its transmission and distribution networks. He told a post cabinet media brieﬁng that Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson updated Cabinet on the issue and gave timelines for the rectiﬁcation of the problems. It was noted that new power generation equipment was already procured. Many residents across the Essequibo

surge of “blackouts” over the past years. When the Guyana Daily News contacted the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), an oﬃcial said that only one generator is working to service the entire region, the other generator is out of service. Ms. Williams, a resident of Hampton Court, which is situated on the northern half of the coast, said that a lot of her electrical appliances have damaged due to sudden and frequent power outages.

LOCAL

GUYANA DAILY NEWS Monies Must Be Accounted For “Irrespective Of Where It Was Spent” – Bulkan Tells Mayor Chase-Green PAGE 121

Following statements made by Mayor of Georgetown, Patricia Chase-Green that the recent audits conducted at the Municipality were unprofessional and disrespectful, the Ministry of Communities has issued a statement with the intent address several facts as it relates to the audit that was conducted into grants made to the Mayor and City Council (M&CC). In an article in appearing in the local newspaper “Stabroek News” on October 25, 2016, under the headline, “Mayor miffed at ‘disrespectful’ audit into $300M subvention” Georgetown Mayor, Patricia ChaseGreen was quoted saying that the investigation of City Hall was unprofessional and disrespectful. In response to the comments made by the City Mayor, the Ministry of Communities issued a statement on Thursday, noting that it was not involved in an investigation at the municipality but is merely collecting data in preparation of a response to audit queries that stemmed from the 2015 Auditor General’s Report. “The Ministry also wishes to note that at this stage, there is no basis on which to launch an investigation. Further, it is required of the Permanent Secretary to account for all expenditure under the Ministry of Communities, irrespective of where it was spent,” the statement read. In 2015, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council received two grants appropriated under the Ministry’s Capital Programme to be used for the “Georgetown Restoration Programme” and the “Emergency Solid Waste Management of Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill” amounting to $300M and $100M respectively. It was highlighted in the 2015 Auditor General’s Report that over 200 payment vouchers contained “discrepancies” either with no evidence of the payment being certified by the accountant or any other authorized officer; further, approval by the City Treasurer was not seen on 140 payment vouchers totaling $143.682M. A disclosure that have caused public outage. According to the report, there was also no evidence of the Finance Committee approving 58 payments totaling 48.404M, and no evidence of

FRIDAY OCTOBER 28, 2016

receipt or payee acknowledgement for a payment of $750,000 to a contractor via cheque #164407587. The Ministry’s statement also it is normal procedure for queries raised in the Auditor General’s report to be resolved before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) starts its work. This is done in conjunction with the Auditor General and the Accountant General’s Oﬃce. The report was submitted on October 5, 2016, following which a letter was sent to the Town Clerk and copied to the Mayor, informing them of a decision to dispatch the Ministry’s internal auditor to have the issues resolved, the statement added.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2016

Special Prosecutors To Be Sourced, Criminal Charges For Pradoville II Occupantsoons Block Key EU Ceta Trade Deal With Canada Cabinet Secretary Joseph Harmon has noted that government has received a forensic report into the Pradoville II issue, and after examining the report, it was found that there are indications of criminal culpability. He told a post cabinet media brieﬁng that further investigations is required and as such, special prosecutors will be hired to investigate the issue. The Cabinet Secretary clariﬁed that the reports would be handed over to the police and not to the State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU), for criminal investigations to commence. When asked by the Guyana Daily News, what are some of the criminal culpabilities found in the report, Minister Harmon said that that “plots of land were transferred at prices that were not market prices” and that the valuation which was given were “unusual” for that time and venue. He further stated that the report looked at the transfer of a plot of land not far from what is now known as “Pradoville II” for a meager price. He said that criminal and civil cases will now have to be formed. However, former Minister of Housing and Water, Irfan Alli, has dismissed the allegations of misconduct at Pradoville II, calling it “vexatious” and “lacking potency.” He told some sections of the media that the reports were “creating a

manufactured controversy which did not exist with the aim of diverting attention from the public outrage over the Government criminal and shameful decision to increase the pay of its Ministers by 50 per cent in a clandestine manner”. Another PPP/C Member of Parliament and Attorney-at-Law Charles Ramson Jr. had stated that the Attorney General cannot institute charges against any former Government Minister.

Cabinet Secretary Joseph Harmon

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2016

Interior Operator Remanded On Drug Charge

hief Magistrate Ann McLennan remanded 40-year-old Leroy Fraser after he appeared before her in the Georgetown Magistrate’s

Court charged with being in possession of narcotics with the intent to traﬃc on October 26, 2016. The matter was transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s

Court where Fraser will appear on November 18, 2016. The accused who works as a transporter in the interior, was unrepresented before the court and had initially entered a guilty plea. However, he told the court that the cannabis does not belong to him and is in fact the property of a gentleman known to him as “Dougla.” As such, the Chief Magistrate entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. It is alleged that on the day in question, at “7 Mile Police Station” at around 13:00h, oﬃcers conducted a search on the motor car owned and operated by the accused when they found a black plastic bag in the spare tyre compartment of the car. The black bag allegedly contained three transparent bags which contained the said narcotics which when weighed summed up to 674 grams.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2016

“Aim For Higher Education”-President Granger Tells BHS 2016 Graduates Georgetown, Guyana – (October 28, 2016) President David Granger, yesterday, urged graduates of the Berbice High School (BHS) class of 2016 to aim for higher education, particularly in disciplines of agriculture, environmental science and information technology, to ensure they are well-positioned to make meaningful contributions to the development of a ‘green’ Guyana. The Head of State was at the time delivering remarks at the school’s annual graduation and prize-giving ceremony, where over 100 students, who wrote the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE), received their certificates. President Granger lauded the head teacher and staff of the school, which is the top secondary institution in East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six) and, which moved up to the position of fifth in the country this year from seventh in 2015. Speaking of the school’s motto “Carpe Diem”, the President reminded the graduates that completing secondary school should not be the end of the road and urged them seize every available opportunity for higher learning. “I want to congratulate you on the step that you have taken. A new chapter is about to unfold in your lives; new opportunities are about to be opened, new pathways lie ahead and your education here at Berbice High School has prepared you for all of those opportunities,” he said. He explained that Guyana is blessed with an abundance of natural resources and rich biodiversity, which must be properly managed and protected at all costs. “We are part of the lungs of the earth. We are a global resource and I look to you the graduates to help to protect our wildlife, our coastal zone, our rivers and the atmosphere so that generations to come will enjoy these resources,” the President said. Meanwhile, Regional Chairman, Mr. David Armogan, who delivered the charge, reminded that the world is rapidly changing as a result of technology and urged the graduates to ensure that they are not left behind. “Today we have just turned an important corner, but you are far from the end of the road… You are free to dream big, but unless you chase those dreams, they will never become a reality,” he said. Mr. Armogan

encouraged the young graduates to set short, medium and long-term goals for themselves and work towards achieving them. He said that while the country owes each one of them a living, they have a corresponding responsibility to contribute to its development. He also urged them to adhere to the tenets of social justice, democratic values, fundamental human rights and the rule of law. Guest Speaker at the event, veteran educator, Ms. Shafiran Bhagan commended the Government of Guyana for its commitment to improving the education sector. She made specific mention of the One Laptop Per Teacher and the Boats, Buses, Bicycles + Breakfast and Books (‘Five Bs’) programmes, which, she said, are transforming access to and delivery of education. This year, a total of 138 BHS students wrote the CSEC examinations in 25 subject areas of which 124 passed five or more subjects with Grades One to Three, a success rate of 89.85 percent. Head Teacher, Ms. Tracey Helligar, in her report, informed that despite challenges in certain areas, a total of 247 Grade Ones were obtained compared with 207 in 2015. This year’s top CSEC student is Jose Cummings who gained 13 Grade Ones, three Grade Twos and two Grade Threes, while Ronichia Schwiers is the school’s top CAPE student with four Grade Twos and two Grade Threes. MOTP Press Release

Berbice High School’s graduating class of 2016

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS Guyana Fashion Week For November Launch Guyana Fashion Week 7 is around the corner and adrenaline is Coordinator for his commitment and dedication. This year, GFW PAGE 125

running high as designers, models, make-up artists, and hair stylists are expecting a show of international standard. It's the second longest running event of its kind in the Caribbean and the first to incorporate the Arts, so collectively, to magnify the national tourism product, through celebrating the fashion arts and its adjuncts, within an event tourism enterprise. Guyana Fashion Week has become a staple on the biennial calendar, so it would serve your national as well as regional interests, wholeheartedly, in building creative entrepreneurship alliances as well as in boosting progressive youth empowerment initiatives. During an interview with Emerald Digital Productions, Project Coordinator Keron Nelson expressed that the ‘models have been giving their best during the training sessions’, making emphasis on diversity of their team. “We have models from all over the region, Trinidad & Tobago, Curacao, New York and even Argentina all of which come to Guyana for the Premiere of the Fashion Week.” He also expressed his satisfaction with the impact that the Guyana Fashion Week is having on the plateau, taking into consideration the massive assistance to this year auditions in comparison to previous years. “This is the biggest audition that we have ever had since 2007. The casting started since March with the participation of over 300 persons. After a rigorous process of elimination, we selected 80 models to perform on the runway this November”. Mr. Nelson also noted that the event represents a ‘priceless opportunity to meet renowned models and fashion designers from the region’. The Guyana Fashion Week commences with a church service on November 6 at Love and Faith Ministries. On November 7, there will be a workshop for models and is being facilitated by Artistic Director of the event, Richard Young followed by a leadership workshop that is being conducted by Dr. Sonia Noel, Chief Executive Officer of Guyana Fashion Week on November 8. On November 9, the Theatre Guild will come alive with ‘Performing Style’ followed by a media conference on November 10, as well as a hairstylist’s workshop facilitated by Essenese Sambury, Master Cutter, Hairstylist and the CEO Caribbean School of Cosmetology. Meanwhile, later in the day, the designer’s workshop will be facilitated by Walter Greene Fashion Editorial, Director of Profiles98 Magazine. On November 11 there will be the ‘Meet and Greet In Style’, Cocktail Reception at Pegasus and on November 12 will be the Beauty and Fashion Expo. This will be followed by the finals ‘Model Image’ competition and young designers showcase. On the night, the first runway show will commence at 20:00h followed by an ‘All White Affair’ after party at Aura Lounge. On November 13, the Beauty and Fashion Expo continues from 09:00hrs-18:00hrs and the final runway show will be held at 19:00hrs. The public will be able to attend the Beauty and Fashion EXPO free of cost, and purchase pieces from the designers as well as support the other beauty businesses. With the holiday season approaching, it will be great to select your Christmas party outfits and gifts. Youths have played an integral part in the planning and execution of Guyana Fashion Weekend; one such individual being Keron Noble, Project

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will feature the Indigenous fashion display. Traﬃcking In Persons (TIP), domestic violence and people living with disabilities are the causes GFW will be highlighting this year. Guyana Fashion Week is the second longest fashion event in the Caribbean and the team very thankful for the support since 2007. NOVEMBER 6-13, 2016 at Pegasus Hotel Tickets avaible at: Nigel's Supermarket, Kings Jewellery World & Pegasus Hotel Tickets Cost: $3000 REGULAR $4000 VIP (Photos/Write up from Guyana Fashion Week Facebook page) https://www.facebook.com/proﬁle.php?id=100013577107808

Guyana Fashion Week on The Pulse (Models: Nkechi Vaugh & Meleesa Payne; Photographer: Jay Carter ; Creative Director: Kenatta Chester)

Guyana Fashion Week Schedule

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“Let Us Celebrate Diwali As Nation” Minister Amna Alli Urges Guyanese

Georgetown, Guyana – (October 28, 2016) As Guyana prepares to observe Diwali, Minister of Social Cohesion, Ms Amna Alli has urged that Guyanese celebrate the festival as a nation so as to contribute to a more unified country. The Minister made these comments on Wednesday during her address at a pre-Diwali cultural event hosted by the management and staff of the West Demerara Regional Hospital, Essequibo Islands – West Demerara (Region Three). “Let us celebrate [Diwali] as a nation. Let us celebrate our achievements as a nation. Let us celebrate our diversities… as a people we are different in terms of religion, culture, age, race, ethnicity, geographic location and all those things that give us our own identity. But we are beautifully put together as a people with our diversities,” the Minister said.

She added that Guyana’s multicultural population is such that the religious holidays are observed by all ethnicities, and all people are given a chance to celebrate. With unity at the helm of the Ministry’s mandate, Minister Alli added that on a larger note, the Ministry of Social Cohesion will seek to ensure that of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it will make a tangible contribution to achieving Goal number One, which is to end poverty in all its forms. “That is why we have taken the lead with the Bs Initiative. The aim is to ensure that children in Guyana have access to education…It is only when a good education is acquired, that one is placed in a good position to compete on the labour market and enjoy a certain standard of living,” she said. Goal number 10, which is to reduce inequalities, is also high on the Ministry’s list of priorities the Minister stated. “The vision for Social Cohesion in Guyana is for a uniﬁed country, where diversities are embraced, where conﬂicts are resolved, collaboration with stakeholders are strengthened and decisions made result in

equal opportunities and benefits for all,” she said. On that note, Minister Alli mentioned the Ministry’s ongoing consultations initiative aimed at gathering feedback from stakeholders countrywide on issues affecting social cohesion in various communities. The feedback will contribute to a National Strategic Plan 2017-2021. She noted that among the several consultations held thus far, stakeholders from Region Three were also part of this process during an outreach held in the Region in September. “We want to hear from stakeholders so that issues of concern to Guyanese could be addressed so that we can embrace cohesion,” she said. Drawing attention back to the significance of Diwali, the Minister said, “let us enjoy this victory of good over evil…let us not allow our differences to divide us…let’s unite so that one day we would see a unified Guyana where our diversities are embraced and conflicts are resolved, and we can truly celebrate as Guyanese: One people, One nation and One destiny,” the Minister said. MOTP Press Release

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS Turks And Caicos Elections Called For December 5 large number of independent candidates have announced their PAGE 127

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intentions of trying to win a seat at large, including former premier Michael Misick, despite his legal status. Misick has been charged with a list of criminal oﬀences relating to his 2003-2009 administration. He is now required to appear daily at trial in a specially constructed court room on Providenciales.

Premier Dr Rufus Ewing (L) and Opposition Leader Sharlene Cartwright Robinson By Caribbean News Now contributor PROVIDENCIALES, TCI -- On Thursday, Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Premier Dr Rufus Ewing adjourned the House of Assembly, after outlining his government’s achievements and announcing that general elections will take place on Monday, December 5, 2016. According to Ewing’s ruling Progressive National Party (PNP): “Our Vision 2020 will be in your hands on Progress Day – Monday, 5 December 2016.” The announcement comes as no great surprise, since the local parliament would have been automatically dissolved on November 28, pursuant to the government’s four-year maximum term as set out in the constitution. Islanders have therefore been active preparing for the election. Both the PNP and the opposition Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), led by Sharlene Cartwright Robinson, have announced their lists of 15 candidates. This includes ﬁve running “at large”, who will vie for votes from all of the ten separate election districts. A new party, the Progressive Democratic Association (PDA), is led by former PDM leader Oswald Skippings, who during the 2012 election failed to win his own seat at large, which cost him and the PDM the election and the government. A

This trial has been underway since December 2015 and is expected to continue into 2017. Misick was unable to achieve endorsement from his own PNP party, whose candidates include his brother, niece and nephew, all members of the current administration. The outgoing PNP administration was elected in November 2012 on the heels of an interim government, whereby the country was governed directly by the United Kingdom for a three-year period, after a commission of inquiry found what it described as “systemic corruption”, during the previous two PNP administrations. Of the 15 electoral seats, the PNP won eight and the PDM won the remaining seven. The British prescribed constitution, made as a result of the commission of inquiry’s ﬁnal report, also gave one each appointed member of parliament to the PDM and the PNP, while two such members went to the British-appointed governor, who therefore held the balance of power in parliament, with his two appointed members. (Caribbean News Now!)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS Suriname-based Fly Allways Faces Uncertain Future PAGE 128

By Caribbean News Now contributor PARAMARIBO, Suriname -- Start up Suriname-based airline, Fly Allways, following years of setback towards certification to fly, apparently now faces dark skies ahead. With creditors awaiting payments, poor payloads, and one of its two Fokker 70 aircraft being used as a source of spare parts to keep the other one flying, Fly Allways faces an alarming financial future. The airline’s current financial situation does not allow the airline to keep the second aircraft flying. “Fly Allways request

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for an extension of maintenance time on major components of its aircraft such as the overhaul of the landing gear was not approved by the aviation authority of Suriname,” said a source. “This has led to the grounding of one aircraft, which is now being used as a source for parts of their sole flying Fokker 70.” The closest place in the Caribbean where the Fokker can be serviced is Curacao; however, there are unconfirmed reports that neither of the two Fokkers went to Curacao for maintenance. “After two years of sitting in Suriname, the two Fokkers haven’t been to a maintenance hangar. Fly Allways still does not have an approved maintenance base,” the source said. With creditors and personnel now facing delayed payments and salary cuts, the future looks grim. Management is reportedly considering whether a move to another Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country is possible. “Pilots have had to accept a major pay cut or leave,” our source said. “The load factor between Suriname, Guyana and Barbados is below 30 percent. Between Barbados and Guyana an average of 20 seats are occupied. Plans to commence service to Haiti have been cancelled,” confirmed a second source. (Caribbean News Now!)

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Caribbean Fisheries Ministers Meet In Cayman Islands

The region is developing harmonized food safety legislation to help build a resilient Caribbean seafood brand GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands (CRFM) -- The Ministerial Council of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), the top policy and decision-making arm of the CARICOM agency, met on Thursday in Grand Cayman for its sixth special meeting. The meeting was held as part of the Caribbean Week of Agriculture, which is hosted in the Cayman Islands under the theme “Investing in Food and Agriculture”. High on the Ministerial Council’s agenda are plans to develop marine capture ﬁsheries and aquaculture across the Caribbean, with the aim of reducing the region’s US$4 billion food import bill, while building a Caribbean seafood cuisine brand that the region and the world can embrace as a safe and healthy choice. The 17-

member Council met for a three-hour session to advance proposed legislation and guidelines that will support an enabling environment for a harmonized regime of food safety. At the Ministerial Council’s recent meeting in Jamaica, chairman Karl Samuda, m i n i s t e r o f i n d u s t r y, commerce, agriculture and fisheries of Jamaica, urged the region to explore the untapped market of open-sea fish and aquaculture and to lock in a bigger share of the US$136-billion global industry. On Thursday, the fisheries ministers looked at strategic interventions that the region can make to develop the full potential of its marine capture fisheries and aquaculture, in line with the current push towards the blue economy and blue g r o w th , w h i c h a i ms t o maximize benefits from the region’s expansive maritime spaces. With the recent battering of

some Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries by hurricanes and storms during this hurricane season, the need for the region to establish better mechanisms to provide risk insurance for fishers is also a high priority. The Council is reviewing the progress made towards the activation of the Caribbean Ocean Assets Sustainability Facility (COAST), which includes a risk insurance facility for fishers. The Caribbean Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) is developing a new sovereign parametric policy for the fisheries sector, and a micro-insurance policy for small-scale fishers based on the template for the existing livelihood protection policy (LPP) that targets farmers and labourers. Fishers will soon be able to purchase the policy and obtain quick payouts when they experience losses due to storms, heavy rainfall, high winds and other climate related variables. The CRFM Ministerial Council is also discussing a model protocol for responding to the influx

of sargassum seaweed that has been affecting fisheries, coastal and marine ecosystems and other economic activities in the waters of Caribbean countries. The initiative by the Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission of the Food and Agriculture O r g a n i z a t i o n ( FA O / W E C A F C ) t o establish a regional fisheries management organisation in the wider Caribbean region and a proposal by South Korea for the establishment of a world fisheries university are also being considered by the Ministerial Council. The meeting of the Council precedes the 62nd Special Meeting of CARICOM’s C o u n c i l f o r Tr a d e a n d Economic Development (COTED), scheduled for Friday. The CRFM, which is represented at the meetings in Cayman by executive director Milton Haughton, has lead responsibility for the development of the marine fisheries and aquaculture industries, highlighted by COTED as priority commodities. (Caribbean News Now!)

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CARICOM Region Urged To 'Take A Big View Of Agriculture’ Technical Centre of Agriculture and Rural security programme and hence continued

CARDI Executive Director, Barton Clarke By Kenton Chance GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands -Stakeholders in the regional agricultural sector have been urged to take “a big view of agriculture” as Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nations continue to highlight the importance of food production to its economic and social development. The call on Wednesday by executive director of the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), Barton Clarke, came as he addressed the opening ceremony of Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA), which is taking place in the Cayman Islands until Friday. “We are in this business together. This business of addressing the challenges of addressing food and nutrition security for the Caribbean and all the people therein and this is a business that requires us to increase production and trade, to take a big view of agriculture,” Clarke told delegates. “At the same time, not leaving out the many small farmers that we have and recognising that our breath of undertaking, not only includes agriculture but also includes forestry and ﬁsheries.” Clarke said CARICOM’s pursuits in agriculture cannot take place without appropriate partnerships, including between the public and private sectors. “Without appropriate partnerships, none of what we plan can be pursued,” Clarke said. CWA is being held under the theme “Investing in Food and Agriculture” and delegates are speaking to the issues related to advancing the framework for investment in the sector. Clare said that in examining the issues involved, stakeholders want some centrality for the role of the private sector, bearing in mind that small farmers are also part of the private sector. CWA 2016 is taking place as CARICOM countries continue to struggle with the collective US$4 million annual food import bill. Michael Hailu, executive director of the

Cooperation -- a joint agency of the African Caribbean and Pacific Group of States and the European Union (ACP-EU) -- said that money sent abroad to buy food, creates jobs overseas. “Transformation of agriculture in the Caribbean is critical in addressing many of the challenges that the region faces. The large and growing food import bill is not only a drain on the region’s foreign exchange, but it deprives it of opportunities for economic diversification and job creation, especially for young people, in farming and food processing industries.” Hailu welcomed the focus on investment in the food and agriculture sector, saying that there is certainly much opportunity in this area in the Caribbean. “The private sector is critical not only as a source of much needed investment, but holds many of the skills and experience needed if we are to transform Caribbean agriculture into a profitable business -- one that is inclusive of smallholder producers, women and young people,” he said. He told the ceremony that governments need to create the enabling conditions and incentives to spur increased investment so that the food and agriculture sector can grow and move forward. “The good news is that many governments in the region are now recognising the benefits of investing in agriculture and taking concrete steps to promote the sector,” he said. In addition to draining foreign exchange from the region, the food imported into CARICOM is killing its citizens, specifically through chronic noncommunicable diseases, said Lystra Fletcher-Paul, the Food and Agricultural Organization’s sub-regional coordinator for the Caribbean. She said there was a role for initiatives such as school-feeding programmes in combating this trend while, at the same time, creating opportunities for farmers, by linking them to school meals. Fletcher-Paul said that linking farmers to school meal help in promoting farmer investment as well as lifelong healthy eating habits among our children. She said that, in St Lucia, the private sector has invested in the school feeding programme providing infrastructure and equipment. And, in St Vincent and the Grenadines, the first Parliamentary Front Against Hunger has been established in the Caribbean to support the implementation of the food and nutrition

investment in food and agriculture, thereby ensuring sustainability of the programmes even if there is a change in government. In his address to delegates, secretary general of CARICOM, Irwin LaRocque, said that lack of investment is one of nine key constraints to the development of agriculture within the community. “The thrust to encourage greater investment in agriculture is fully in sync with CARICOM’s Strategic Plan for the period 2015-2019. Among the strategic priorities stated are: building economic resilience; social resilience; environmental resilience and technological resilience, all of which resonate with the agriculture sector,” LaRocque said. He told delegates that building competitiveness and unleashing key economic drivers to transition to growth and generate employment, is one of the highpriority areas for focused implementation during the span of the plan. And, premier of the Cayman Islands, Alden McLaughlin, noted that for the ﬁrst time, CWA is being held in a CARICOM associate state, one that is known for other things, but not agriculture. McLaughlin said that the Cayman Islands traditionally had been involved in subsistence agriculture, but its prominence fell with the emergence of the tourism and ﬁnancial services sectors. He said, however, that all is not lost. “With the new technologies that are available and with greater understanding of the science involved in agriculture, Cayman is more than capable of being self-sustaining in a number of crops,” he said. Caribbean Week of Agriculture 2016 is focusing on a number of issues, including the coconut industry, agribusiness development, governance and public policy for food and nutrition, and the role of culinary arts in the development of the agriculture sector in CARICOM. The planners this year decided to move away from the traditional CWA Expo and create an event that would give producers the opportunity to showcase their products to both the region and the Cayman Islands “high value” tourism and retail markets. This year’s CWA2016 MarketPlace provides regional agriculture, food and beverage producers the opportunity to showcase their goods and services and meet and network with potential customers, prospects and partners. (Caribbean News Now!)

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IDB To Support Cassava Production In Jamaica And Small-scale Fisheries In Honduras

DB President Luis Moreno MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica -- President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group, Luis Moreno, officially signed technical cooperation agreements to support two important projects in the region – one that will enhance local cassava production in Jamaica and another to boost competitiveness for small-scale fisheries in Honduras. The signing took place at a special event during Foromic 2016, Latin America and the Caribbean’s most important conference on microfinance and entrepreneurship in Montego Bay, Jamaica, on October 24. The first technical cooperation issued to the Desnoes and Geddes Foundation to support Red Stripe’s Project Grow was valued at over US$814,000. The objective of this project is to improve the livelihood of small and medium-scale cassava farmers while developing a climate-smart agricultural system, and generate sustainable employment opportunities for vulnerable youth in Jamaica. The project also aims to enhance the capacity of small and medium-scale producers to supply quality cassava to

commercial buyers such as Red Stripe. Red Stripe managing director Ricardo Nuncio said that the project is extremely important because “it has huge potential for us to substitute 40% of that imported material which is high maltose corn syrup with locally grown cassava. This will generate close to 3,000 jobs by year four (2020).” The company currently substitutes ten percent of its imported raw material with cassava. The technical cooperation will also facilitate training that will be conducted on Red Stripe farms, in collaboration with technical experts at the Center for International Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), specialists from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MoAF) and the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA). Red Stripe will provide secure market access through buyer commitment and price stability, in the form of three-year purchasing contracts with eligible small and medium-sized farms. The second grant awarded to Asociación Goal Internacional includes technical assistance resources from the Nordic Development Fund (NDF) and reimbursable funds for a Mutual

Guarantee Fund from Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) resources to encourage financial support for smallscale fisheries. With a combined value of over US$5.5 million, the project objective is to boost competitiveness of artisanal fishing companies and organizations to ensure economic sustainability and environmental responsibility, preserving the mangrove ecosystem and increasing resilience to climate change in Honduras. “The technical cooperation is extremely important. We have done a lot of work over the years looking to develop small scale fisheries, we have done a lot of investigation on the market system, a lot of studies on the marine coastal environment and we’ve identified this as a critical intervention for sustainable economic development in the north coast of Honduras,” explained director, Asociación Goal Internacional, Bernard McCaul. Moreno expressed optimism about both projects, which it is hoped will contribute to sustainable growth and development in both countries while supporting small to medium-scale producers. (Caribbean News Now!)

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CDB Approves US$3.7 Million For Youth Empowerment Project In St Lucia BRIDGETOWN, Barbados -The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has approved funding of US$3.7 million to support at-risk youth in Saint Lucia. The Youth Empowered for Life Project will expand access to existing social services, as well as develop new social programmes to target young people and their families in selected communities across Saint Lucia.Saint Lucia is faced with an increasing crime rate, driven in part by inadequate social infrastructure and limited access to social services. Youth in Saint Lucia face disproportionately high levels of unemployment and underemployment, which can

lead youth to turn to crime and gang violence. The project will focus on mitigating risk factors that can lead to criminal behaviour, enhance employability, and support community safety and security. "Through this project, we hope to divert young people away from crime and violence, and enable them to make positive contributions to their households, communities and wider society. The Project was designed to meet the needs of diﬀerent age groups and genders, and we are optimistic about the outcomes it will achieve,” said Deidre Clarendon, division chief,

social sector division, CDB. The project includes the expansion of existing Youth Court Diversion Programmes, which target youth who have committed minor crimes, in an eﬀort to prevent reoﬀending. Community-based programmes will also be implemented, including afterschool and summer programmes, workshops which focus on skills such as leadership development and training, and the inclusion of sports and expressive arts in communities. The project will also look at options for redevelopment of the George V Park in Castries, which will provide a safe public space for children,

young people and families. In collaboration with the government of Saint Lucia, CDB will also host a regional symposium on communitybased policing. This will allow regional stakeholders to share experiences and discuss challenges, lessons learned, and opportunities for addressing crime and insecurity in the Region. The project meets CDB’s strategic objective of supporting inclusive and sustainable growth and development, and integrates gender equality, a cross-cutting theme in its Strategic Plan (2015-2019). (Caribbean News Now!)

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2016

IMF Warns Of Signiﬁcant Challenges To Belize Economic Growth

Picture taken from: euractiv.com WASHINGTON, Oct 28, CMC – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says Belize continues to face significant vulnerabilities and challenges driven by high public debt, large fiscal and external deficits, and declining international reserves. The IMF executive directors, who met to discuss the September report of an IMF mission to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country, said that the adverse weather conditions have also posed difficulties and emphasized that decisive policies are urgently needed to ensure macroeconomic stability and improve growth performance. In September, the IMF mission warned that the Belize economy faced multiple challenges. It noted that gross domestic product (GDP) growth slowed to one per cent in 2015 due to falling oil production and reduced output in the primary commodity sectors, and turned to negative 1.5 per cent in the first half of 2016 relative to the same period in

2015. The IMF said then that the decline in oil and other commodity prices led to deflation in 2015, but the inflation rate turned positive in early 2016 owing to higher food prices and the hike in the fuel tax. It said Hurricane Earl, which hit Belize in early August, compounded the challenging economic environment. “The fiscal position has weakened, pushing the public debt higher. The overall fiscal deficit expanded to 8 percent of GDP in 2015.” The executive directors noted that placing public debt on a downward path is a key priority. “While noting that fiscal adjustment could initially impact growth, they emphasized that rigorous and sustained efforts, including both revenue and expenditure measures, are critical to ensuring fiscal sustainability and building investor confidence,” the IMF said in a statement. It said that the directors welcomed the important steps taken by the authorities to contain public expenditures and increase revenue, but highlighted that additional measures,

particularly raising the GST rate, reducing the public wage bill, reforming the pension plan for civil servants, and strengthening public financial management, will be important going forward. “Directors noted the improvements in the financial sector and called for sustained efforts to tighten supervision and reduce vulnerabilities. They underscored the importance of continued careful assessment and monitoring financial sector risks and agreed that an asset quality review of all banks would dispel possible uncertainties about the size of their capital buffers.” They warned that timely completion of financial stability reports, including stress tests that adjust banks’ capital buffers for shortfalls in provisioning, would further strengthen the financial sector supervision toolkit.” The IMF directors noted that the loss of remaining Correspondent Banking Relationships (CBRs) could have a negative impact on the financial sector and the wider economy and will require action on multiple fronts, both domestically and internationally. “They also highlighted that stronger implementation of the AML/CFT framework and improved transparency in the offshore sector, with technical assistance where needed, would help further improve compliance with international standards and understanding of money laundering and terrorist financing risks, and help address the withdrawal of CBRs.,” the statement added. (Antigua Observer)

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2016

St. Vincent’s Permanent Representative To The OAS Presents Credentials

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27, CMC – The Organization of American States (OAS) says St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ new Permanent Representative, Lou-Ann Gilchrist, has presented her credentials to Secretary General Luis Almagro. The presentation took place on Wednesday during a ceremony at OAS headquarters here. “Ambassador Gilchrist highlighted her country’s continued commitment to the OAS and its guiding principles,” the OAS said. Gilchrist said since St. Vincent and the Grenadines became a member of the OAS, in 1981,

only two years after the nation obtained from Great Britain, “we have been committed to promoting and strengthening the four main pillars and principles enshrined in the OAS Charter. “Accordingly, I must reassure you of my country’s unwavering commitment to

integral and sustainable development, democracy and governance, multidimensional security and the protection of human rights,” she said. In welcoming the new envoy, Almagro recognized her broad experience as an educator and leader, according to the OAS. “You have a strong background in the field of education and in other areas of the work of the OAS, particularly the InterAmerican Council of Integral Development (CIDI),” he said. “Having led your country’s education process as Chief Education Officer over the last several years, I am confident that your expertise will be beneficial to some of the innovative programs in this area in which CIDI is working,” Almagro added. (Antigua Observer)

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2016

St. Lucian Ambulance Attendant Arrives At Murder Scene, Finds Out Person Shot Deadp rWas His Sister ovide emergency response at the scene of the shooting. Upon arriving at the scene Felix got a shock no one should have to go through, he saw his sister lying on her back with a gunshot wound to the head. Saint Lucia Fire Service is currently providing counselling to Felix as he struggle to come to terms with the loss of his sister. (St. Lucia News Online)

he tragic revelation of the shooting death of Verna Augustin was made in a rather unexpected way to one of her siblings who worked as an ambulance attendant. The sibling, Augustinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brother Ian Felix, only found out that his sister was the one who got shot when his unit responded to a call to

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2016

Uber Drivers Win Key Employment Case

(GETTY IMAGES) Uber drivers have won the right to be classed as workers rather than self-employed. The ruling by a London employment tribunal means drivers for the ride-hailing app will be entitled to holiday pay, paid rest breaks and the national minimum wage. The GMB union described the decision as a "monumental victory" for some 40,000 drivers in England and Wales. Uber said it would appeal against the ruling that it had acted unlawfully. The San Francisco-based company had argued that its drivers were not employees but selfemployed contractors. The ruling accused Uber of "resorting in its documentation to ﬁctions, twisted language and even brand new terminology", adding: "The notion that Uber in London is a mosaic of

30,000 small businesses linked by a common 'platform' is to our mind faintly ridiculous." "This is a monumental victory that will have a hugely positive impact on drivers," said Maria Ludkin, legal director at the GMB, which brought the case. The TUC said the case had exposed the "dark side" of the UK's labour market. General secretary Frances O'Grady said: "For many workers the gig economy is a rigged economy, where bosses can get out of paying the minimum wage and providing basics like paid holidays and rest breaks. "What is happening at Uber is just the tip of the iceberg. Lots of people are now trapped in insecure jobs, with low pay and no voice at work. We need the government to get tough on sham selfemployment." Jo Bertram, Uber's UK manager, said:

"Tens of thousands of people in London drive with Uber precisely because they want to be self-employed and their o w n b o s s . " T h e overwhelming majority of drivers who use the Uber app want to keep the freedom and flexibility of being able to drive when and where they want. While the decision of this preliminary hearing only affects two people, we will be appealing it." Two drivers, James Farrar and Yaseen Aslam, argued that their actions were controlled by Uber, which meant they were employed by the firm - but that they did not have basic workers' rights. Mr Farrar said his net earnings in August 2015 after expenses were £5.03 an hour. Mr Aslam no longer drives for Uber. 'Ground-breaking' decision Nigel Mackay from law firm Leigh Day, which represented the two drivers,

said: "This judgment acknowledges the central contribution that Uber's drivers have made to Uber's success by confirming that its drivers are not selfemployed, but that they work for Uber as part of the company's business. "This is a ground-breaking decision. It will impact not just on the thousands of Uber drivers working in this country, but on all workers in the so-called gig economy whose employers wrongly classify them as selfemployed and deny them the rights to which they are entitled." Martin Warren, partner and head of labour relations at Eversheds, said the ruling may not mean other cases brought by workers in the "on-demand economy" will have similar success. "Each case will depend on the specific terms and arrangements between the individual and the company they work for. Nevertheless other firms who rely heavily on the 'on-demand' freelance workforce will be watching cases like this keenly," he said. Alex Bearman, partner at Russell-Cooke solicitors, said Uber could look to meet any additional costs by increasing the percentage of each fare that it kept as commission: "It seems likely that this decision will be appealed and we may not see a final determination for some time to come." (BBC)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2016

Oregon Stand-off: Wildlife Refuge Occupiers In Shock Acquittal

Ammon Bundy, second from right, leads the group(AFP) Seven leaders of an armed militia who led a 41-day stand-off at a US federal wildlife refuge in Oregon have been cleared of the charges against them. The surprise verdict acquitted them of conspiracy and firearms offences. A lawyer for one of the leaders, Ammon Bundy, was tackled to the ground by US marshals after shouting at the judge. The militia occupied the refuge in early January, accusing the government of unlawful interference in the affairs of ranchers. One protester was shot dead by police during a confrontation outside the refuge when some of the defendants were arrested, days before the occupation was brought to a peaceful end in F e b r u a r y. T h e s t a n d - o ff highlighted the simmering resentment among rural communities in the US West over federal control of land. A total of 26 people have been charged over the stand-off. Some have already pleaded guilty to conspiracy. A second group of defendants is due to stand trial in February. Prosecutors argued the defendants, led by Ammon Bundy and his brother Ryan, had kept federal employees from

their jobs at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. But defence lawyers say the jury was unable to find beyond reasonable doubt that the occupiers had intended to prevent federal officers from going to work. Drama erupted in the courtroom after Ammon Bundy's defence lawyer Marcus Mumford shouted at the judge, demanding the immediate release of his client. As the exchange escalated, court marshals tackled him to the ground and used a stun gun on him. Judge Anna Brown said Mr Bundy could not be released because he and his brother still faced charges in a separate armed stand-off case at their father's ranch in Nevada in 2014. Lawyers for the defendants expressed their surprise at the verdict, including Robert Salisbury who described it as a "stunning victory for the defence". 'Extremely disappointed' Alongside the Bundy brothers, Jeff Banta, Neil Wampler, Kenneth Medenbach, David Fry and Shawna Cox were all cleared of the charges. During the occupation earlier this year, the group established armed patrols and vetted those who visited the refuge. They said the takeover was a justified act of civil disobedience against an

overreaching federal government. After several weeks one of the protesters, Robert "LaVoy" Finicum, was shot dead during a 26 January traffic stop outside the refuge as the Bundys and several others were detained. After the acquittals, US Attorney for the District of Oregon Billy Williams said he had "hoped for a different outcome". But he said he strongly believed the case needed to be brought before a court and decided by a jury. The FBI also said it was "extremely disappointed in the verdict". Friends of the occupiers - and there are plenty of them in the western United States - will trumpet this verdict as a victory for freedom in the face of federal oppression. The rationale behind the protest was the charge that the US government acts unconstitutionally in its treatment of ranchers. A bird sanctuary established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908 might not have been the most obvious symbol of such "oppression", but in truth it was an easy, empty target for the heavily-armed militia. Indeed, the lack of resistance may have helped to secure their acquittal. How could the occupiers have impeded US Fish and Wildlife Service workers "by force, intimidation, and threats," if they walked in to the reserve unchallenged? Whether the jury acquitted them on such technical grounds or whether it was striking a blow for states' rights is impossible to know at this stage. Still, both interpretations amount to the same thing: a slap in the face for the feds. The Oregon stand-off explained How did it begin? In October last year, a federal judge ruled that sentences on two Oregon ranchers, Dwight and Steven Hammond, for burning federal

land were too short and jailed them for about four years each. Angered by the ruling, Nevada native Ammon Bundy began a social media campaign backing them and travelled to Burns, Oregon, organising meetings. His group attracted supporters from across a number of states and Mr Bundy called it Citizens for Constitutional Freedom. On 2 January the armed militiamen took over the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge - and widened their range of demands. What were the militia's aims? It was an extension of the Sagebrush Revolution of the 1970s and 1980s that demanded the transfer of federal land in many Western states to local control. Mr Bundy's own father - a Nevada rancher - had been involved in a protest over cattle-grazing rights in 2014. One policy is to try to persuade ranchers to tear up their federal grazing contracts. Although many local residents were sympathetic with the cause, many also opposed the occupation of the refuge. Even the local ranchers who are serving the longer sentences distanced themselves from the militia. Are militias legal? The term has a complex history and generally refers to those outside the oﬃcial military who can be called on in times of need. The US constitution refers to the president having command of "militia of several states" and that Congress "can call forth militia" to tackle insurrection and invasion. Those who form such militias cite the constitution and various references in federal and state law as granting them legality. (BBC)

INTERNATIONAL

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

PAGE 138

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2016

Syria Rebels 'In Push To Break Aleppo Siege’

Rebels outside the city have so far been leading the offensive(REUTERS) Rebels in Syria have announced a big offensive aimed at breaking the government siege of east Aleppo. A UK-based monitoring group said rebels fired "hundreds" of missiles on western Aleppo, killing at least 15 civilians. In response, Russia's defence ministry said it had asked permission from President Vladimir Putin to resume air strikes against the rebels after a 10-day pause, Russian media report. About 275,000 people have been besieged in the east of the city for months. The Syrian government said it had repelled offensives on several fronts around Aleppo by both rebel groups and militants from so-called Islamic State (IS). "Booby-trapped cars, two tanks and a large number of armoured vehicles" were destroyed, the defence ministry said on its website. Russia said it

was time for all rebel groups in eastern Aleppo to be considered "legitimate targets". The attacks are so far coming from rebels outside Aleppo but it is understood that rebels inside the city will join the oﬀensive. “All the revolutionary factions, without exception, are participating in the battle," the military spokesman for the Fastaqim faction inside the city said, AP news agency reports. They include Jabhat Fateh alSham, formerly the al-Qaedalinked Nusra Front, as well as fellow Islamists Ahrar al-Sham. Rebels ﬁred Grad missiles at alNayrab, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) monitoring group said. Up to 115 people were killed or wounded, it added. They also detonated two car bombs against government positions to the south-west of the city. One was a tank driven by a French suicide bomber from Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, a spokesman for the group said. The area around the Hmeimim

air base near the coastal city of Latakia - the main airport used by the Russian air force - was also reportedly targeted, the SOHR said. The rebels said this counter-attack would come. But even though disparate groups have united for this effort, "liberating" East Aleppo won't be easy. They have hit an airbase and are targeting other Syrian positions in an effort to cripple any response. But the Syrian army is the least of their problems - by itself, it is relatively weak. The Syrian government is supported by Lebanese, Iranian, Iraqi and Afghan Shia militias, as well as Russian air power soon to be bolstered by a naval fleet in the Mediterranean. One of the main rebel factions spearheading this operation is Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, which is affiliated to al-Qaeda. It is the very group the US has tried to untangle from the fighters it supports. This means that from a Western perspective at least, the rebels

are on their own. The rebel offensive came as Syria's foreign minister Walid Muallem met his Russian and Iranian counterparts, Sergei Lavrov and Mohammad Javad Zarif, in Moscow. They pledged to increase support for the Syrian government. Mr Lavrov reiterated Moscow's call for moderate rebel groups to disassociate themselves from Jabhat Fateh al-Sham. He quoted US Secretary of State John Kerry as saying if this did not happen the moderate groups concerned would be considered a legitimate target . "I think... the time has come for the logic set out by John Kerry to find some practical shape," he said. Mr Lavrov also accused US-backed rebels in Syria of impeding humanitarian operations in Aleppo, adding that UN humanitarian workers had behaved "unprofessionally" by failing to allow sick and injured civilians out of the city. Mr Muallem accused the West of attempting to drive IS militants from Iraq to Syria to fight the Syrian government. Divided city It is the rebels' second attempt to break the siege. In August they temporarily opened a corridor between the east and west after the government entirely encircled them for the first time in July. The city, previously Syria's economic hub, has been divided between the two sides since 2012. Almost 500 people have been killed and 2,000 injured since government forces, backed by Russian air strikes, intensified an assault on the east of the city a month ago. UN human rights chief Zeid Raad Al Hussein has described the city as a "slaughterhouse". (BBC)

INTERNATIONAL

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

PAGE 139

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2016

Philippines Duterte: God Told Me To Stop Swearing

Mr Duterte was on a ďŹ&#x201A;ight home after a visit to Japan(AFP) Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says he has promised God he will clean up his famously vulgar language. Arriving in his home city of

Davao after a trip to Japan, Mr Duterte said God gave him an ultimatum on the plane. "I heard a voice telling me to stop swearing or the plane will crash in mid-air, and so I promised to stop," he told reporters at the airport. Mr Duterte's blunt speaking, often directed at the

West, has contributed to his popularity at home. He called President Barack Obama a "son of a whore", called the European Union "hypocritical", threatened to leave the UN and accepted comparisons to Hitler, saying he would gladly kill three million drug addicts. All were responses to criticisms of his bloody war on drugs, that has seen thousands of alleged drug dealers and users killed by police and vigilante groups. Mr Duterte said he had promised God he would not "express slang, cuss words and everything", and said a "promise to God is a promise to the Filipino people". But he suggested his promise might have its limits.

Whether he will stick to not swearing when talking about the US, EU or arch political foe Senator Leila de Lima, will depend on timing, local media quoted him as saying. Like most Filipinos, Mr Duterte is Roman Catholic, although he has boasted about his womanising and called the Pope a "son of a whore" for causing traďŹ&#x192;c jams during his visit. The president has spoken about being abused by an American priest as a child, saying that informed his political views. He recently said that the Philippines wanted "a separation" from long-standing ally the US, and wanted American troops to leave the country, possibly within two years. (BBC)

INTERNATIONAL

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

PAGE 140

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2016

US Election: Clinton 'Eyes Biden For Top Diplomat Job’ top job or bust for most

(AP) Vice-President Joe Biden is being considered for the secretary of state job if Hillary Clinton becomes president, US media are reporting. Politico first reported Mr Biden was "at the top of the internal short list" of the Clinton team who are planning for her winning the White House. With 11 days to go, she leads Republican Donald Trump in the polls. Mr Biden, 73, was a senator for 36 years and chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. So he has the foreign affairs pedigree for secretary of state, which is in effect the country's top diplomat, but has a reputation for being gaffe-prone.

Recently he has been very critical of Mr Trump for being too close to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also said he wished he was still at high school so he could take the billionaire "behind the gym" to ﬁght him. He has a very close relationship with the president despite raising eyebrows early on by referring to the then Senator Obama as "the ﬁrst mainstream African American who is articulate and bright and clean". In the summer, he went to Latvia and assured the Baltic states that the US would defend Nato countries against possible Russian aggression. Mr Biden pondered a run at the presidency himself last year but said the recent

death of his son Beau meant he would not have been able to focus fully on a campaign. This was supposed to be Joe Biden's valedictory tour; his ﬂeeting ﬁnal moments in the corridors of power. Instead he's again the subject of political speculation, which is exactly how he seems to like it. This time around the Clinton team is leaking that he could be up for secretary of state in a potential administration. Last year Mr Biden put himself in the spotlight by publicly grappling with whether to run for president. It would be unusual for a vice-president to hop down a rung in the ladder to secretary of state. It's the

occupants of Mr Biden's office. Then again, it's a position for which the former chair of the Senate foreign relations committee, who was added to Barack Obama's ticket to give it foreign policy gravitas, seems well suited. Mr Biden may follow through on his promise to fade from the stage, perhaps to write a book. The Clinton team may just be floating an inconsequential trial balloon or trying to drum up pre-election enthusiasm within the party's base. If the offer does end up on Mr Biden's table, however, don't be surprised if he takes the plunge. What happens next? Mrs Clinton and Mr Trump will spend the remaining days before the election crisscrossing the country in their bid to persuade undecided voters. Expect to see lots of appearances in battleground states such as Ohio, North Carolina, Florida and Pennsylvania Voters will go to the polls on Tuesday 8 November to decide who becomes the 45th president of the US The new president will be inaugurated on 20 January 2017 (BBC)

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 141

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2016

Mosul Iraq Battle: 'Tens Of Thousands Of Civilians' Used As IS Humanh u mShields an shields," Ms

So far, only "modest" numbers of people have ﬂed Mosul, the UN says(REUTERS) Islamic State (IS) militants have abducted tens of thousands of civilians from around the Iraqi city of Mosul to use as human shields, the UN says. The group also killed some 190 former members of Iraq's security services and 42 civilians, apparently for refusing to obey its orders, the UN adds. Iraqi, Kurdish and allied forces have advanced on their push to retake Mosul, the jihadist group's de facto capital. As many as 1.5 million people are believed to

remain there. There are fears IS could use them to defend itself as the operation gets closer to the centre of the city. "Credible reports" suggested that civilians in sub-districts around Mosul had been forced from their homes and relocated inside the city since the oﬀensive began earlier this month, UN spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said. Men, women and children from 6,000 families were abducted in areas including Shura, she added. "Isil's depraved cowardly strategy is to attempt to use the presence of civilian hostages to render certain points, areas or military

forces immune from military operations, eﬀectively using tens of thousands of women, men and children as

Shamdasani added, using an acronym for IS. She said the allegations had been corroborated by the UN but added that the true number might be greater. The UN said last week IS was apparently not allowing families to ﬂee for territory held by the Iraqi army outside Mosul and that civilians suspected of being disloyal to to the group appeared to had been t a rg e t e d . T h e organisation added that only "modest" numbers of people had so far ﬂed Mosul. (BBC)

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 142

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2016

Brisbane Bus Driver Dies After Being Set On Fire By Passenger

talented singer and dancer who was engaged to be married. "I've been confronted with many situations, but here, this is a rare one where there appears to be no A bus driver has died in Brisbane, apparent motive," Police Supt Jim Australia, after a passenger threw Keogh told reporters. "A bus an "item" which set him on fire, say police. Six "deeply traumatised" passengers escaped the smoke-filled vehicle with the help of a taxi driver who forced open the back door of the bus. Eleven people were treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation and minor injuries. Police arrested a 48-year-old man and have ruled out terrorism. The bus driver was identified as Manmeet Alisher, a 29-yearold man well known in Brisbane's Indian community. Friends described him as a The driver, Manmeet Alisher, was well-known in the community(FACEBOOK/MAN EET ALISHER)

driver, going about doing his business, supporting the community, has had his life taken from him in what is a senseless and needless act." Taxi driver Aguek Nyok helped passengers escape. "All the people were at the back trying to get out of the bus but they couldn't get out the front because of the ﬂames," he told the CourierMail newspaper. "They couldn't open the back door so I kicked it down and they all came running out." Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said it was "a very, very sad day for the council and the wider community". Flags will be ﬂown at half-mast across the city on Saturday as sign of respect for Mr Alisher. (BBC)

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 143

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2016

Celebgate Hack: Collins Sentenced Over Nude Photos Theft

Dunst - by sending emails appearing be from Google or Apple. Collins was charged with accessing the photos between 2012 A Pennsylvania court and 2014, in a case has sentenced a man to known as "celebgate". 18 months in jail for hacking into the accounts of celebrities and stealing nude photos a n d v i d e o s . Ry a n Collins, 36, pleaded guilty to the charges in May. He had stolen the usernames and passwords of more than 600 people. Collins tricked his victims including actresses Jennifer Lawrence, Kate Upton, Scarlett Johansson, and Kirsten Naked photographs of Jennifer Lawrence were leaked online after an iCloud hack in 2014(AFP)

But was not charged with releasing them. A s t a t e m e n t b y prosecutors said: "Investigators have not uncovered any evidence linking Collins to the actual leaks or that

Collins shared or u p l o a d e d t h e information he obtained." Collins accessed at least 50 iCloud accounts and 72 Gmail accounts. Court ďŹ lings said he had used fraudulent email addresses designed to look like security accounts from service providers, including email.protection318@i c l o u d . c o m , noreply_helpdesk0118 @outlook.com and secure.helpdesk0119@ gmail.com. Collins was originally charged in Los Angeles, but s e n t e n c e d i n Pennsylvania, his home state. (BBC)

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 144

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2016

Nigeria To Spend $10bn To End ConďŹ&#x201A;ict In Oil-rich Niger Delta

Naked photographs of Jennifer Lawrence were leaked online after an iCloud hack in 2014(AFP) A Pennsylvania court has sentenced a man to 18 months in jail for hacking into the accounts of celebrities and stealing nude photos and videos.

Ry a n C o l l i n s , 3 6 , pleaded guilty to the charges in May. He had stolen the usernames and passwords of more than 600 people. Collins tricked his victims - including actresses Jennifer Lawrence, Kate Upton, Scarlett Johansson, and Kirsten Dunst - by sending emails

appearing be from Google or Apple. Collins was charged with accessing the photos between 2012 and 2014, in a case known as "celebgate". But was not charged with releasing them. A statement by prosecutors said: "Investigators have not uncovered any

evidence linking Collins to the actual leaks or that Collins shared or uploaded the information he obtained." Collins accessed at least 50 iCloud accounts and 72 Gmail accounts. Court ďŹ lings said he had used fraudulent email addresses designed to look like security accounts from service providers, i n c l u d i n g email.protection318@ i c l o u d . c o m , noreply_helpdesk0118 @outlook.com and secure.helpdesk0119 @gmail.com. Collins was originally charged in Los Angeles, but sentenced in Pennsylvania, his home state. (BBC)

INTERNATIONAL PAGE 145

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2016

Tony Blair: Options Must Stay Open On Brexit

51.9% of UK voters backed leaving the EU in June The UK should keep its "options open" over Brexit, Tony Blair has said, adding that a second referendum should not be ruled out. The former PM told the BBC the vote was a "catastrophe" and said it was vital to study the "real-life implications". Mr Blair said he accepted the verdict of June's referendum, but recommended looking again at Brexit when "we have a clear sense of where we're going". Downing Street said it was "absolutely committed" to seeing Brexit through. A spokesman said the British people had expressed their view very clearly on 23 June, when 51.9% of voters opted to leave the EU, adding: "There will be no second referendum." Supporters of leaving the EU argue it will free up the UK to trade better globally and give the government better control of immigration. 'We're the insurgents now' But Mr Blair told BBC Radio 4's Today programme he believed the Brexit vote was a catastrophe and argued that it was important that the views of the "16 million" people who had backed remaining in the EU should not be

ignored. He added: "If it becomes clear that this is either a deal that doesn't make it worth our while leaving, or alternatively a deal that's going to be so serious in its implications people may decide they don't want to go, there's got to be some way, either through Parliament, or an election, or possibly through another referendum, in which people express their view." But he said the vote for Brexit could not be changed "unless it becomes clear that the British people have had a change of mind". Mr Blair's interview followed an article in the New European newspaper in which he said those who believed in the EU "have to recognise we're the insurgents now". "We have to build the capability to mobilise and to organise. We have to prise apart the alliance which gave us Brexit." UKIP MP Douglas Carswell tweeted that Mr Blair was "seeking to de-legitimise and reverse" the referendum result. The government has promised to invoke Article 50 - setting formal talks with the EU in motion - by the end of March next year. It says it will not provide a "running commentary" on its stance before negotiations for leaving the EU begin but has pledged to

make Brexit work for the whole country. Mr Blair told the BBC it was unclear what the outcome of negotiations, in terms of restrictions of movement of people and access to the single market, would be, adding: "We will start to see the real-life implications of this decision to go." 'Very, very tough' "We've got to work out: are the freedoms that we are going to gain really so substantial that we want to leave the European Union?" He warned of the talks with the EU: "I'm convinced that it's going to be very, very tough. We have to understand we are not going to be conducting these negotiations with a group of European businessmen who might well decide that they want maximum access to the UK... "The people we are going to be conducting these negotiations with are the political leaders of the European Union and their parliaments. "I'm arguing we should keep our options open," he said. Mr Blair, who was prime minister between 1997 and 2007, announced last month that he was winding up most of his commercial ventures to focus on not-for-profit work. In 2004, Mr Blair said a UK referendum would be held on ratification of the European Constitution Treaty, creating, among other measures, a European Council president and a "common defence policy". But voters in France and the Netherlands rejected the treaty, which was discarded. In 2007, the Labour government rejected calls for a referendum on a second treaty, which came to be known as the Lisbon Treaty, arguing it was a different document and a UK referendum was not needed. Earlier this month, Mr Blair told Esquire magazine he was considering whether there was a "role" for him in UK politics, having not been actively involved for almost a decade. (BBC)

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LOCAL PAGE 149

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016

Government To Honour Court Order Against Carvil Duncan Tribunal

Carvil Duncan The government will honour the court order against the Presidential Tribunal appointed to look in to the Carvil Duncan matter. This is according to the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon. “We are a law abiding government…since there is an order of Court we respect the order of Court,” Harmon said at a Post Cabinet press brieﬁng on Friday. President David Granger had appointed a Tribunal to determine whether Duncan should be removed from his post as head of the Public Service Commission and as a member of several other constitutional

bodies, following fraud charges that were brought against him. Duncan had subsequently secured an Order Rule Nisi from the High Court to halt the works of the Tribunal while the magistrates’ court determines whether there is enough evidence for the case to go to trial. However, Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Aﬀairs, Basil Williams is adamant that the government does not have to await the conclusion of Carvil Duncan’s criminal matter in the court to move administratively against the public servant. “We don’t have to wait for no criminal matter to be completed to move administratively against anybody; that’s always been the rule,” the AG said that a press brief on Wednesday. The High Court order stated that the tribunal was set up based on unconstitutional advice given by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo to President David Granger. However, the Attorney General said the Tribunal does not have to await the decision on Duncan’s criminal matter. “If you are a public servant and you are charged for any oﬀence in Guyana what happens to

you? You’re interdicted,” AG Williams pointed out. “Any lawyer worth his salt will know that if you have a criminal oﬀence and you are working with an employer the employer doesn’t have to wait to see whether you are convicted before the employer can decide whether you are good for his employment or not because administratively you could proceed,” the AG explained. The government is preparing to submit its response to the Order. “The return date on that order is the 31st of October and therefore the attorneys who represent the state will be given suﬃcient instructions to move to the court to have that order vacated,” Harmon said. Although the court has order the works of the Tribunal be halted, Harmon related that the Tribunal has already completed its investigations and will present its recommendations to the President when the court matter is resolved. “The work is not concluded until the tribunal hands over its report to the President and that is the stage where I believe we are at,” Harmon said.

FEATURE PAGE 150

GUYANA DAILY NEWS A response to the Attorney General

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016

By Mohabir Anil Nandlall MP, Attorney-at-Law Carvil Duncan, has filed legal proceedings in the High Court challenging the actions by the Executive to remove him from office as Chairman and a member of the Public Service Commission, a member of the Judicial Service Commission and a member of the Police Service Commission. The quintessential issue for the determination of the court is whether or not it is lawful for the Government to have embarked upon this path, in light of the fact that there are pending criminal proceedings in the Magistrate's Court, to which Carvil Duncan has pleaded not guilty and whereof he is protected by a Constitutional doctrine which presumes him innocent until proven guilty in those proceedings. Notwithstanding the existence of these pending proceedings in the High Court, in flagrant violation of the sub judice principle, the Attorney General has chosen to speak, publically, on the very issue which is engaging the attention of the Court. At a recent Press Conference, the Attorney General contends that the Government can lawfully remove Mr. Duncan from office during the pendency of the criminal proceedings and before their determination. Whether this is so or not, is the very pith and substance of the issue which the High Court is to determine. The Attorney General is no ordinary litigant. He is the head of the Bar and the Executive's principal legal representative. His official influence can be overwhelming and he has publically signaled to the Judiciary and the particular judge, the Executive's view and I dare say, its expectations. Is the Attorney General attempting to prejudice the outcome of the pending case? Is this the example the head of the Bar is setting for other lawyers? Should lawyers now engage in public articulation of cases which are the subject of pending litigation? It is my considered view that the Attorney General has satisfied all the ingredients of the offence of Contempt of Court, for breach of the sub judice rule. In any properly functioning judicial system, Mr. Williams would have been hauled before the Judge for Contempt. But it is now a matter for the

Judiciary. Since Mr. Williams has chosen to express his view on the merits of the pending litigation, justice and fairness compel a response. Almost every legal contention which the Attorney General posited at that Press Conference is misconceived and wrong. He labels Mr. Duncan a “Public Servant”, and then proceeds to wrongly apply his interpretation of the Public Service Commission Rules to Mr. Duncan. The Press Statement issued by GINA on 2016/10/25, reads: “The Attorney General (AG) is adamant that the Government does not have to await the conclusion of Carvil Duncan's criminal matter in the court, to move administratively against the public servant. “We don't have to wait for no criminal matter to be completed to move administratively against anybody, that's always been the rule”, Attorney General, Basil Williams, told the press today, at a press briefing held at the Ministry of Legal Affairs … “If you are a public servant and you are charged for any offence in Guyana, w h a t h a p p e n s t o y o u ? Yo u ' r e interdicted…”. Mr. Duncan is the Chairman of the Public Service Commission, a high constitutional office whose function is to employ, transfer, promote and discipline Public Servants. This office holder has a strong regime of security of tenure akin to that of a judge of the Supreme Court. By what rational process of reasoning and logic can such an office holder be equated to a public servant? The Public Service Commission Rules have no applicability whatsoever to Mr. Duncan. Indeed, it is Mr. Duncan's responsibility to apply those rules to Public Servants. It is the constitution, the Supreme law, which applies to Mr. Duncan. Therefore, not even by analogy, can Mr. Duncan be sensibly equated to a Public Servant or can the Public Service Commission Rules apply to him. In any event, Mr. Duncan was not “interdicted”. The President established a disciplinary tribunal to investigate his removal from office. Long after the establishment of the t r i b u n a l , M r. D u n c a n w a s t h e n “suspended”. Therefore the disciplinary

process to remove Mr. Duncan from office commenced long before his suspension. B u t e v e n w o r s e , M r. Wi l l i a m s i s misrepresenting or misinterpreting the Public Service Commission Rules. In fact, I do not think he ever read them. These rules clearly provide that if a public servant is charged with a criminal proceeding no disciplinary action can be taken against him until those criminal proceedings are determined. The rationale is clear: to proceed with disciplinary proceedings while the criminal charges are pending, would not only abrogate the presumption of innocence, but would also prejudice the criminal proceedings. Rule 80. (1) of the Public Service Commission Rules provide: “Where criminal proceedings have been instituted in any court against an officer, Permanent Secretary or the Head of Department, the Commission shall not institute disciplinary proceedings against the officer upon any grounds arising out of criminal charge until after the court has determined the matter and the time allowed for an appeal from the decision of the court has expired; but where an officer, on conviction, has appealed, the Commission may commence proceedings after the withdrawl or determination of the appeal.” Applying the most elementary principle of common sense and logic to this situation, if a lowly ranked public servant has the kind of protection which rule 80 accords, does it not follow that the Chairman of the Public Service Commission, a high constitutional office holder who enjoys security of tenure similar to that of a judge of the Supreme Court, not entitled to, at a minimum, the same or, moreover, greater protection? Therefore, the Attorney General's argument that one can move administratively against a public servant who is facing criminal proceedings. The striking similarity between the Attorney General's contentions and that of the Chairperson of the Tribunal established to investigate Mr. Duncan's removal from office, articulated when I appeared before that tribunal for Mr. Duncan over two weeks ago, has not escaped me. …. 2016-10-29

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016

COI In CANU Finds “Deficiencies” found “deficiencies” within Guyana’s main drug fighting agency. Minister Ramjattan confirmed that these deficiencies were unearthed during a recent investigation into the unit’s operations.

Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan on Friday disclosed that a Commission of Inquiry (COI) into claims by self-confessed drug lord, Barry Dataram against the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) has

The government had ordered the investigation after the now convicted Dataram had made some damning allegations of corruption against officials of CANU. Dataram who appeared on the News Cast “HGTV Nightly News” had claimed that the CANU was involved in the drug trade and that the Drug fighting Unit had agents who were allowing cocaine to pass through the Cheddi Jagan Airport. The Public Security Minister said the deficiencies at CANU were “not uncommon and so abnormal” and believes that these deficiencies can be remedied. Ramjattan said he expected the proposed umbrella organizationNational Anti-Narcotics Agency (NANA) would help correct those

deficiencies. He reasoned that the treatment to address deficiencies should include greater coordination among the Customs and Trade Administration of the Guyana Revenue Authority, Guyana Police Force, and CANU. “It is not uncommon and so abnormal and I believe that the fact that we are now making an umbrella organization with CANU coming under it, the GRA coming under it, Police Narcotics coming under it, what we now call National Anti-Narcotics Agency those all will be deficiencies that will be corrected with that integrated, more absorptive umbrella organization. So we feel that that will be the remedy,” he said. Minster Ranjattan also said Guyana has received no recent request from the United States for Barry Dataram’s extradition, adding that the U.S wants him to remain in Guyana. The US had previously requested Dataram’s extradition but though legal tactics he was able to avoid his transferal to the United States.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016

PSC Calls On Government To Intervene In Crime Situation The Private Sector Commission (PSC) on Friday joined several stakeholders to register its concern over the “inability” of the State to generally protect them from widespread gun inspired crime threatening their wellbeing and safety. At a press conference, PSC chairman Eddie Boyer said citizens feel threatened regardless of where they happen to be, and urged that steps be taken to adequately equip local law enforcement agencies and personnel to better secure the country’s borders in order to arrest gun-smuggling from neighbouring countries. The Commission said the ﬁrst step in addressing the crime situation is for the government to publicly acknowledge that there is a problem with crime in Guyana. The PSC chairman is calling on President David Granger to publicly

order the Police Force to bring some order and control as it relates to criminal gangs and individuals terrorizing the Guyanese community. “While we commend the Minister and the Commissioner of Police for the recent reduction in serious crime, our c o u n t r y, n e v e r t h e l e s s , r e m a i n s unprotected from guns flowing across our borders into the hands of violent criminals virtually without restraint; our country remains with a Police Force which is inadequately staffed, insufficiently trained and underequipped to meet the challenge,” he asserted. Major General (retired) Norman McLean, the Vice Chairman of the Security Committee called on the President, Government Ministers and all stakeholders to send a strong signal to criminals that crime will no longer be tolerated. The PSC had disclosed that

on October 12, the Commission, through its Sub-Committee on Security, met with Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan to express concerns. During the meeting the commission said that the Minister admitted that while there has been an overall 16 per cent reduction in serious crimes this year compared to last year, criminal access to guns coming into Guyana, mainly from Brazil, is an increasing threat and remains a challenge because of the extent of the country’s borders.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016

38.5% Increase In Number Of “A” Division Road Fatalities

Ramesh Ashram As the number of road fatalities continue to rise there has been a call by Officer in Charge of the Traffic Department of “A” Division, Superintendent Ramesh Ashram for road users to begin adhering to the set road rules and regulations in an attempt to decrease the amounts of deaths. According to a report from the Government Information Agency, a review and comparison of the figures show a 38.5% increase in the number of road fatalities moving from 26 in 2015 to 36 in 2016. Stressing on the importance of drivers being properly educated before taking to the roads, Superintendent Ashram spoke of the multiple educational opportunities that are afforded to potential drivers such as in company driving training and radio and television programs which share education on Road Safety, Defensive Driving and the 5 C’s (Care, Courtesy, Consideration, Common Sense and Caution.) of being a good driver on the roadways. The Officer further revealed that the majority of road accidents have been as a result

of drunk drivers and drivers failing to observe road signs and as such the Force has noted this and have begun countermeasures such as the location of ranks in so called “Black Spots.” Complementing the Guyana Police Force’s ongoing Operation Safeway, Ashram revealed figures which show that since the commencement date of September 15, 2016 there has been 781 cases of speeding while there has been 158 persons who have been tested and charged for driving above the prescribed limit of alcohol. In addition there has been 46 cases of individuals who have been charged for failing to adhere to Police Sirens. In offering a solution to the problem, Superintendent Ashram said that the force over the years has been proposing that fines for the respective offences be increased which should deter drivers from taking risks and committing any offence. The Officer reiterated the importance of road safety and knowledge, pointing out that the upcoming month of November is commonly known as ‘Road Safety Month’ and as such there will be multiple activities which will be held so as to educate road users. In addition there will be exercises which will be carried out such as the painting of road signs which are expected to make road ways safer.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016

Line Of Credit Obtained For North West, Berbice Ferries Construction In an attempt to increase the rate of transportation to distanced areas such as North West and along the Berbice River the Government of Guyana has secured a line of credit with India for the building of two new ferries which will service the areas, the Government Information Agency has noted. Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson said it has been observed that due to the lack of transportation the farmers in the mentioned areas have cut down on production since it is difficult to move the goods to markets to sell. As such it is the hope of his Ministry that with the introduction of the ferries that the Farmers will see the effort and recommence their large scale production. According to the Minister, the contract will be officially signed on November 9, 2016 after which there will be a process for the selection of the Fabricator who will be in charge of the construction of the ferries. Patterson in

his statement reassured the Government’s commitment to keeping its promises stating that “They might be slow but they’re sure”. Also speaking to GINA was Minister in the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson who spoke of the Government’s commitment to bringing back the Berbice Ferry Service as an alternative for those who have to use speedboats instead and as such bringing a form of alleviation to those farmers who have to transport their produce out of their community. At the moment, Ferguson revealed that they are unable to introduce the service since there is no available vessel in the ﬂeet to be deployed. The introduction of the ferry to run the North West Route was initially considered in 2013 but it was until January of last year that the source of credit was secured from the Government of India.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016

Construction Worker Charged For Stealing GY$1.8M In Tools, Appliances Forty-ﬁve-year old construction worker, Chanderpaul Mangroo recently appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court charged with committing the oﬀense of larceny. The accused was granted bail in the sum of GY$100,000 and is expected to make his next appearance before the court on November 21, 2016 for continuation into the matter. Represented by Attorney at Law, Moti Singh, Magroo pleaded not guilty to the charge as Singh led his client’s defense stating that the items recovered during the investigation are all property of his client and was found in his client's storeroom at his home in Houston Housing Scheme. It is alleged that between May 28, 2014 and October 26, 2016 Chanderpaul Mangroo, father of three,

stole from Abdul Gafoor a quantity of appliances and tools, of total value of GY$1.8M.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS Diwali Ignites Fresh Hopes – Diwali Message Honourable Moses Nagamootoo Prime Minister And First Vice President Of The Cooperative Republic Of Guyana Diwali greetings to all Guyanese in as we lay the foundations for a clean PAGE 156

O ﬃ c e o f t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r, Guyana,Saturday, October 29, 2016 The Government of Guyana extends

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particular our Hindu brothers and sisters. This Festival of Lights has great religious as well as social significance. Diwali signifies the emergence from the darkness of ignorance to the light of wisdom. It also symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, hope over negativism and gloom, Today, as we continue to emerge from the clutches of despair and division, we can see flickers of the new light of hope

and green Guyana. Diwali gives us an opportunity to bury our diﬀerences, and to embrace as one Guyanese fraternity. It is the sincere hope of the Government that Diwali 2016 will serve to rekindle the ﬁre in our heart for a cohesive society in which all will share in the good life. It must imbue us with a positive resolve to love life, to love Guyana. Shub Diwali! (GINA)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016

First Lady Participates In Breast Cancer Awareness Walk

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger and representatives of other groups march through the city streets, this morning, to raise awareness about breast cancer. Georgetown, Guyana – (October 29, 2016) Scores of persons assembled, this morning, at Parade Ground, Georgetown, joined by First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger in the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk, which was organised by the Ministry of Public Health to raise awareness about the importance of early detection in the treatment of breast cancer. The First Lady was joined by Minister Public Telecommunications and Member of Parliament, Mrs. Catherine Hughes, Dr. Latoya Gooding, nurses and other representatives of the Oncology Department of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), representatives of the Ministry of Social Protection, the Cancer Institute of Guyana, the Periwinkle Club, the Giving Hope

Foundation, the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA), the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation, cancer survivors and their relatives and friends, all marching under the theme ‘I have hope!’. The walk commenced from Parade

Ground, proceeded east along Middle Street, south into Waterloo Street, east into Church Street, north into Irving Street, west into Lamaha Street, south into Camp Street then headed west into Middle Street to culminate at the starting point. Along the way, marchers paused at Merriman’s Mall on Church Street and at the cancer treatment ward of the GPHC on Lamaha Street to spread the message that “early detection saves lives”. They also waved at several cancer patients warded at the hospital who looked out their windows in response to their chant. The Guyana Police Force Band provided musical accompaniment along the route. Today’s walk is one of several activities the First Lady has thrown her support behind to observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2016. MOTP Press Release

First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger and other marchers move apace, along Church Street.

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016

Shubh Diwali! provide a week of entertainment and enlightenment. Rangoli

Diwali, Deepavali or the festival of lights is a Hindu festival celebrated every year in autumn in the northern hemisphere spring in southern hemisphere. It signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. The festival preparations and rituals typically extend over a five day period. Its celebration includes countless lights shining outside doors and windows, around temples and other buildings in the communities and countries where it is observed. The lighting of lamps is a way of paying obeisance to god for attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace, valor and fame. Before Diwali night, people clean, renovate, and decorate their homes and offices. On Diwali night, people dress up in new clothes or their best outfit, light up diyas (earthen lamps and candles) inside and outside their home, participate in family puja (prayers) typically to the goddess of fertility and prosperity, Lakshmi. After puja fireworks are lighten, then the family gathers to enjoy a feast. In West and certain Northern parts of India, the festival of Diwali marks the start of a new Hindu year. This festival it’s an official holiday in Fiji, India, Pakistan Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana. Hindus across the world celebrate Diwali in honor of the return of Lord Rama, his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana from a 14 year exile in Lanka, the home land of the ten headed demon Ravana. Sita, Lord Rama’s wife, was abducted by Ravana, causing the confrontation between this two entities and Lakshmana. Confrontation that ended in the defeat of Ravana and the rescue of Sita. On their way back home (kingdom of Ayodhya) villagers lighted diyas to celebrate the death of the demon Ravana. Battle that was latter seen as the victory of light over darkness or good over evil. Therefore, lighting a lamp symbolizes the destruction, through knowledge, of all negative forces- wickedness, violence, lust, anger, envy, greed, bigotry, fear, injustice, oppression and suffering. Diwali also celebrates the return of Pandavas, the five sons of the King Pandu of Hastinapur (city of the northern Indian state, Uttar Pradesh) after 12 years of Vanvas (exile) and one year of Agyatavas, as described in the ancient Hindu text ‘Mahabharata’. In Guyana several activities take place during this five-day celebration. The Hindu community join forces to

competitions can be seen in educational institutions all over the country, artist display religiously themed works in galleries and museums, this accompanied by nocturnal parades that take over the communities streets, for five consecutive nights. On Diwali night, Georgetown, the capital city is turned into a ball of light and music. The procession of motor vehicles adorned with colorful lights, and carrying the personification of the worshipped deities, take the avenues by storm with a massive display of lights and bhanjas (devotional songs). The ‘Motorcade’ as the parade is denominated, departs from one of the main Mandir (Hindu temple) of the city, and takes over the principal avenues of Georgetown, followed by the multitude. The parade ends in the LBI Community Center, a large ground located few miles away from its starting point. There, national and international artists amuse the masses with a varied show that last couple hours. Diwali serves not only to enjoy the glares of the night sky or the colorful display of a yearly parade. Is a time for miracles, joy and self-encounter, redemption and purification. A new beginning, an opportunity to write over blurred lines, a chance to start over with a purified and enlightened soul, a material representation of blessings. Happy Diwali! S o u r c e : http://hinduism.about.com/od/diwalifestivaloflights/a/diwali.ht m

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016

Stray Bullet Wounds 8-Year-Old; Investigations Underway Police are investigating the circumstances which resulted in an 8 years old receiving a wound to her right thigh, caused by a warhead fragmentation of a small calibre ďŹ rearm. The child who hails from New Amsterdam, Berbice, was asked by her mother to go and close a bathroom door in the yard and shortly after a loud noise was heard and the child called out to her mother. Upon examination a laceration was seen on the childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right wrist and a wound to her right thigh which was later ascertained to be that if a gunshot. She was rushed to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where she was treated and admitted a patient in a stable condition. The Guyana Police Force has always acknowledge the signal role of the media in a developing society, however when excitement abounds over a newsworthy item, and the

excitement is not controlled, a huge disservice is perpetuated. Guyana Police Force Press Release

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2016

GUYANA STOCK MARKET UPDATE

GASCI reports that session 692's trading results showed consideration of $18,415,453 from 740,246 shares traded in 13 transactions as compared to session 691's trading results, which showed consideration of $419,820 from 10,191 shares traded in 3 transactions. The stocks active this week were DIH, DBL, DDL, DTC, BTI and RBL. Banks DIH Limited's (DIH) four trades totalling 707,310 shares represented 95.55% of the total shares traded. DIH's shares were traded at a Mean Weighted Average Price (MWAP) of $22.5, which showed no change from its previous close. DIH's trades contributed 86.42% ($15,913,660) of the total consideration. DIH's ﬁrst trade of 1,631 shares was at $22.0, while its second to fourth trades totalling 705,679 shares were at $22.5. Demerara Bank Limited's (DBL) two trades totalling 6,000 shares represented 0.81% of the total shares traded. DBL's shares were traded at a Mean Weighted Average Price (MWAP) of $38.0, which showed no change from its previous close. DBL's trades contributed 1.24% ($228,000) of the total consideration. Both of DBL's trades were at $38.0. Demerara Distillers Limited's (DDL) three trades totalling 23,065 shares represented 3.12% of the total shares traded. DDL's shares were traded at a Mean Weighted Average Price (MWAP) of $23.3, which showed an increase of $0.3 from its previous close of $23.0. DDL's trades contributed 2.91% ($536,595) of the total consideration. DDL's ﬁrst trade of 16,965 shares was at $23.0, while its second and third trades totalling 6,100 shares were at $24.0. Demerara

Tobacco Company Limited's (DTC) two trades totalling 555 shares represented 0.07% of the total shares traded. DTC's shares were traded at a Mean Weighted Average Price (MWAP) of $1,020.0, which showed no change from its previous close. DTC's trades contributed 3.07% ($566,100) of the total consideration. Both of DTC's trades were at $1,020.0. Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry Limited's (BTI) single trade of 2,389 shares at $449.5 represented 0.32% of the total shares traded. BTI's shares were traded at a Mean Weighted Average Price (MWAP) of $449.5, which showed an increase of $24.5 from its previous close of $425.0. BTI's trade contributed 5.83% ($1,073,856) of the total consideration. Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited's (RBL) single trade of 927 shares at $104.9 represented 0.13% of the total shares traded. RBL's shares were traded at a Mean Weighted Average Price (MWAP) of $104.9, which showed a decrease of $0.1 from its previous close of $105.0. RBL's trade contributed 0.53% ($97,242) of the total consideration. Best bid: The highest price that a buyer is willing to pay for a security. Best oﬀer: The lowest price at which a seller is oﬀering to sell securities. TERM OF THE WEEK: Cum Dividend/Cum Interest: The purchaser of the bond or share is entitled to receive the next interest or dividend payment. The alternative is ex-dividend or ex-interest, where the seller retains the right to receive the next interest or dividend payment. Source: Dictionary of Financial and Securities Terms.

REGIONAL

GUYANA DAILY NEWS Venezuela Court Halts Probe Of Missing $11bn At State Oil Company PAGE 161

CARACAS, Venezuela -- Venezuela's Supreme Court on Thursday granted an injunction halting a congressional probe that found Rafael Ramirez, the former president of state oil company Petróleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA), was responsible for corruption and malfeasance that resulted in the disappearance of $11 billion from the firm. A congressional commission said this month that the funds had gone missing during Ramirez's time in charge, from 2004 to 2014, citing 11 cases of alleged corruption including overpricing of drilling rigs and a scandal over money laundering through an Andorra bank, Reuters reported. Ramirez, who denies the charges, had requested an injunction from the Supreme Court to block the investigation. A summary of the decision posted on the court's website said the injunction request had been granted. Ramirez, contacted by Reuters, confirmed the decision. The report also accused other top executives, including the company's current president, Eulogio Del Pino, of corruption. PDVSA has been at the center of a number of corruption scandals over the years, the most recent case involving a group of Houston-based businessmen who pleaded guilty in the United States to running a $1 billion kickback scheme to obtain contracts.Last year, financial authorities in Andorra intervened in a small bank called BPA following an accusation by the United States that it

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was linked to billions of dollars in laundered funds including money illegally taken from PDVSA. Switzerland has given around $51 million in formerly frozen assets to the United States in connection with a US investigation into alleged corruption at PDVSA, the country's authorities said on Tuesday. (Caribbean News Now!)

Rafael Ramirez. (Photo: Wikimedia)

REGIONAL

GUYANA DAILY NEWS Legal Case Against Former Speaker Will Not Be Dropped, Says St Kitts-Nevis AG PAGE 162

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (SKNIS) -- Attorney General Vincent Byron said that the previous Douglas-led administration in St Kitts and Nevis “walked on the constitution” when for 26 months the former speaker of the house, Curtis Martin, “refused to table a motion of no confidence that had been filed with the clerk as the constitution required, as following the rule of law required.” He made these comments at the prime minister’s monthly press conference on Wednesday. “And for 26 months, there was a song and dance in this country, dragging us through all sorts of hoops without having a motion of no confidence,” said the attorney general, while adding “there was talk that it was not necessary -- as soon as possible they could decide when it was. Clearly there had been a serious breach.” The attorney general dismissed calls by the defeated Douglas-led St KittsNevis Labour Party (SKNLP) to dismiss the case against Martin because it was no longer in power: “I’ve heard; it has been reported to me that one member of the opposition, member for number two (chairperson of the SKNLP, Marcella Liburd), has said why are we bothering with it; why we don’t go to the House and fix it; in other words, sweep it under the table, sweep it under the carpet, forget about it, that this country has been put through one of our lowest periods in our history when for 26 months there was a refusal to do what was right, what the constitution mandated and so for months, we had filed all the papers in our claims months and months ago and we were waiting for the court to establish a date, to establish what the constitutional mandate is. “We will get the court to say what it is and so that date has been set down… there will be no witness cross-examination. All that is required now is for there to be oral arguments by lawyers representing the speaker and lawyers representing the claimants, the Team Unity government.” Byron said that a date had been set down for October 27-28 but that that date had to be postponed because the lawyer representing the former speaker had another engagement. However, he said that “this matter will be settled

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shortly and so for the benefit of the people of St Kitts and Nevis and for jurisprudence anywhere in the world, we will be able to establish what is the right thing to do and this Team Unity government will uphold the rule of law”. “We will uphold the constitution and do what is right,” Byron said. Former acting chief justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Sir Brian Alleyne said, “It is very unprincipled to evade a motion of no confidence.” “My view is that motions of no confidence should be heard and should be given high priority. Delaying the hearing of motions of no confidence is very contrary to all the principles of democratic governance and of parliamentary governance,” said Alleyne, a retired jurist and former Dominican parliamentarian, who held a number of portfolios as a government minister in the Eugenia Charles administration. (Caribbean News Now!)

Former speaker of the house, Curtis Martin. (File photo)

REGIONAL

GUYANA DAILY NEWS Caribbean Poultry Sector Looks For Import Restrictions To Defend Industry PAGE 163

By Ivan Cairo Caribbean News Now contributor GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands -- While poultry farms are making serious efforts, including financial investments, to make the region self-sufficient, several issues such as illegal imports from Brazil and cheap ‘dump chicken’ from the US are harming the industry, local entrepreneurs say. According to Trevin Nairne, export manager with Jamaica Broilers, throughout the Caribbean B-grade chicken is being imported from the US “that clearly is being dumped”. Meanwhile, Brazilian, Mexican and Chilean chicken is also entering the regional market. Nairne wondered how it is possible that a large facility such as Jamaica Broilers, which produces high quality products, exists in the region and yet inferior quality chicken is allowed to enter the regional market. During several events at the Caribbean Week of Agriculture 2016 in the Cayman Islands, representatives of international and regional institutions, policymakers and farmers lamented the fact that unhealthy foods especially are entering the Caribbean in staggering amounts. Desmond Ali, executive director of the Caribbean Poultry Association (CPA), said that for some time the organization has raised its concerns regarding the influx of chicken from outside the region. He stressed that “a lot of poultry is coming illegally into the region from places as Brazil, which are not approved exporters into the region”. There are also concerns about “dark meat such as leg quarters, backs and necks that is coming from the US”. According to Ali, the US currently has around one billion pounds of dark meat in frozen stock, which had to be sold somewhere since countries as Russia and China dropped the amount of dark meat that they used to import from the US. Russia used to buy one million pounds a year but that has dropped to 300,000 pounds. “So the US has to send this dark meat somewhere and we in the Caribbean are one of the markets that they are coveting,” Ali said. He warned that the region should be “extremely careful and cautious about defending our industry”. With sales reaching US$650 million a year, employing about 135,000 people and a production of 286,000 metric tonnes of meat, the poultry industry is the largest agri-business in the Caribbean, “larger than most agri-businesses put together”. “We are a big industry in terms of our socio-economic impact and we need to defend that industry,” the CPA official said. In a bid to prevent illegal and sub-standard cheap products from interfering and disrupting the regional market, a Caribbean poultry meat standard was developed and subsequently approved by the Caribbean Regional Organization for Standards and Quality. The CARICOM Council on Trade and Economic Development (COTED) approved these standards in December 2012. These standards should now be implemented throughout the region, said Ali. Two important components of these standards are that: any meat that has been frozen cannot be thawed and sold as chilled meat, nor can it be thawed and refrozen. “Secondly we are saying that any meat that is more than 180 days old cannot be sold for human consumption,” Ali noted. The CPA is seeing poultry meat from outside the region “that’s two and three and four years old”, which is posing serious health risks for consumers. The CPA chief further said that the organization is also looking into phytosanitary measures to block unwanted products from entering the region. Speaking to journalists, Caribbean sub-regional director of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Lystra FletcherPaul, noted that countries in the region should seriously consider measures to prevent the importation of certain unhealthy foods once

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they are in a position to produce healthier substitutes. She said that while the food import bill of CARICOM nations reached almost US$5 billion annually, at the same time the peoples in these countries are eating themselves to death with the extra-regional food. Hypertension, heart disease and diabetes are the deadliest health issues in the Caribbean, she said. The FAO representative stressed that, when the region can produce and transport high quality food that can substitute for imported products, restriction mechanisms should be put in place to keep certain foods out. According to Fletcher-Paul, within the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO) there is room for countries to ban certain foods. Government entities such as the ministries of agriculture and foreign affairs should have closer cooperation, which would enable the countries to take advantage of the WTO rules. According to Nairne, there need to be some kind of guideline or re-evaluation of what currently exists to determine what kind of food, including poultry, is suitable to enter the Caribbean market. The region, he added, could be saving money or spend the money within the region to raise poultry “here to help us grow”. The manager stressed that, if the regional farmers increase production, the price of chicken would certainly drop. “As you know, with increasing scale, the unit prices will drop, which clearly means that the more we produce the more affordable the chicken will be,” he said. Three years ago, Jamaica Broilers was operating only in Jamaica, now it is in six countries selling “hormone-free” products. Nairne noted that, while poultry farms in the region are under strict veterinary monitoring and regulation about what is being exported, such is not the case regarding chicken that is brought to the Caribbean Although farmers don’t have a direct influence on discussions in COTED, the manager hoped that the “government officials would speak on our behalves” at the CARICOM table. He argued that some tax mechanism should be put in place to protect regional producers from the influx of cheaper “heavily subsided” products from outside the Caribbean. Jamaica Broilers, which produces ‘The Best Dressed Chicken’ brand, is currently producing 800 to 900 tonnes of chicken weekly, which according to the manager could be easily increased to 2-3,000 since the production facilities are underutilized. Nairne said that his company offers numerous jobs to people from all over the Caribbean, including Guyana, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago and the Cayman Islands. He lamented that the money that is being spend on imported chicken doesn’t flow back to region. (Caribbean News Now!)

Desmond Ali, executive director of the Caribbean Poultry Association, explains some of the challenges in the regional poultry industry. Photo: Ivan Cairo

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS Private Company To Invest $30 Million In USVI Horseracing Industry PAGE 164

ST THOMAS, USVI -- The US Virgin Islands will soon be home to two first class horse racetracks thanks to an unprecedented agreement with a private company that will invest more than $30 million in the expansion and modernization of local horse racing facilities. In keeping with the administration’s commitment to sports tourism and economic revitalization, Governor Kenneth Mapp announced details of the landmark deal during a Thursday morning press conference at Government House on St Thomas. The new facilities and substantial purses are expected to attract racing enthusiasts and horse owners from around the world. The agreement calls for VIGL Operations LLC to take over the management of both the Clinton E. Phipps racetrack on St Thomas and the Randall “Doc” James racetrack on St Croix. VIGL will partner with the government to transform the local horse racing industry and bring new revenue streams and jobs to the territory. VIGL currently operates the renovated Caravelle Hotel & Casino in Christiansted and, as such, has already been vetted and licensed by the Casino Control Commission. Its parent company, B & B Amusements, designs and operates entertainment venues in Illinois and Louisiana. “Today I present to the people of the Virgin Islands a comprehensive package of agreements and related documents between the Government and VIGL Operations, LLC, an experienced manager of horserace tracks and gaming facilities, for the revitalization and operation of the horserace tracks on both St Thomas and St Croix,” the governor said. “I also present legislation amending the Virgin Islands Horse Racing Industry Assistance Act of 2010 that will help to modernize our horseracing industry – making it a source of pride and economic value to the people and the government.” Mapp sent correspondence to the Legislature on Thursday calling the body into special session on November 28, 2016, in order to ratify the franchise agreement and update the laws now governing local horseracing. He said the newly proposed regulations will be in line with other “great horseracing jurisdictions” in the states. The contract, which calls for state of the art facilities to be developed on both islands, includes very specific execution timelines and the posting of a $25 million performance bond. If VIGL does not meet the required terms the government retains the right to terminate or revoke the 20-year concession agreement, the governor said. Terms of the deal include: • The refurbishment and expansion of the territory’s two racetracks. • Construction of bars, restaurants, lounges, restrooms, viewing stands, parking, jockey locker rooms and vendor kiosks. • New barns, quarantine areas and veterinary care facilities for horses. • A minimum of 18 live race days annually on both St Thomas and St Croix in the first three years and a minimum of 24 each

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year thereafter. • Minimum purse sizes of $100,000 per race day with much bigger purses guaranteed for the annual Carnival and Festival horseraces. • Training and scholarships related to horse racing of up to $100,000 annually. • Establishment of a new nine-member Horse Racing Commission to oversee operations in both districts. The end result will be two new racetracks,” the governor said. “Numerous new jobs will be created in both the construction and operations phase and we anticipate substantial new revenue streams.” Mapp said that, under the terms of the deal, VIGL will make a $30 million capital investment at both tracks, including the purchase of 12.5 additional acres of land on St Thomas in order to expand the Clinton E. Phipps facility. More than 40 percent of the redevelopment must be ﬁnished within two years and the projects must be “substantially completed” within 42 months. As part of the agreement, VIGL will be allowed to operate “racinos” with a limited number of gaming machines at each site. The governor said VIGL will not be eligible for tax beneﬁts. In fact, the business will be required to pay higher taxes on its gaming revenues than the standard taxes now paid by casino operators. VIGL will also be subjected to annual license fees, franchise taxes and rent payments of $108,000 annually on St Croix and $24,000 annually on St Thomas – a lower rate as a result of the land purchase. “Horseracing has a long history in the territory, but has fallen on hard times here and elsewhere,” the governor said. The agreement we have reached with VIGL, and the legislation that will accompany it, will bring a substantial infusion of investment into the t e r r i t o r y, a fresh source of government revenues, and the rebirth of t h e Vi rg i n Islands’ storied horse r a c i n g i n d u s t r y. ” (Caribbean News Now!)

Governor Kenneth Mapp

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS CDB Engages Regional Water And Waste Management Specialists In Trinidad PAGE 165

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad -- The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) recently partnered with the Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA), to host the largest gathering of water and waste-management specialists from across the Caribbean at the CWWA 2016 Conference and Exhibition. “Clean water is one of the key pillars of human development and its importance cannot be overstated. The use and management of water impacts all of today’s leading global challenges, including: energy generation and usage; food security; natural disaster management; and the management of the environment. CDB therefore, has a vested interest in the well-being of the water and sanitation sector because it is key to us achieving our development mandate,” said L. O’Reilly Lewis, portfolio manager, CDB during the opening ceremony for the CWWA Conference. The bank sponsored a high level forum (HLF) for water ministers in the Caribbean, which included presentations from CDB representatives, and also engaged with conference attendees at its booth in the exhibition hall. The high level forum is a key mechanism for water-sectorrelated policy dialogue, bringing together government ministers and senior officials from across the Caribbean, as well as development partners and key stakeholders. “CDB was instrumental in the establishment of HLF, playing an integral role in the planning and financing of the first forum in 2005 in Barbados… There is a commonality of challenges facing Caribbean countries and recognition of the fact that the sharing of experiences, expertise and knowledge -- including best practices -- is key in promoting more strategic approaches at the regional and national levels,” said Daniel Best, director of projects at the CDB. Topics covered included economic drivers that must be considered in investments in the water and wastewater sector in the Caribbean, promoting the regional water agenda linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (Goal 6) and SAMOA in the context of climate change and disaster reduction and case studies, focusing on drought conditions in Jamaica and the impact of Tropical Storm Erika

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on the water sector in Dominica. CDB also participated in a panel discussion on how countries can access concessional funding, specifically through the Adaptation Fund, and the Green Climate Fund, which recently accredited the bank as a partner institution. “This important policy dialogue on climate financing for the water sector is central to the bank’s strategy… This forum provides the bank with a timely opportunity to build awareness of its role as an accredited body to facilitate access to concessional financing from the Adaptation Fund, and the Green Climate Fund, for much needed water infrastructure investments in the Caribbean,” said Best. The CWWA conference took place from October 25-27, in Trinidad and Tobago. This is the 25th year that the conference is being held. (Caribbean News Now!)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS St Croix Electrical System Is Now Entirely Powered By Lower Cost Propane PAGE 166

ST CROIX, USVI -- The US Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA) has completed the commissioning for two of three generating units on St Croix, and the island district is now completely powered by propane (LPG). WAPA executive director/CEO Julio Rhymer provided the Authority’s governing board with an update on the LPG conversion project at Thursday’s monthly board meeting. “For about two to three weeks now, the island of St Croix has been 100% powered by propane. The commissioning of Units 16 and 20 is now complete, the units are burning propane to generate electricity and those two 20-megawatt generators are powering St Croix,” he said. Rhymer said work is continuing on a third generating unit, Unit 17, which has been converted to burn three fuel types: propane, oil and natural gas. On St Thomas, Rhymer said commissioning of two converted generators, Units 15 and 18, is expected to begin by the end of this month with the islands of St Thomas, St John and Water Island expecting to be powered by propane in December. “Once online, the two 20-megawatt units will contribute just over 50% of the district’s peak power demand. It is our intention to complete the commissioning of the two units on St Thomas and have the district powered by a combination of propane and oil by the end of this year,” he said. The governing board on Thursday also approved a contract for brokerage services by IFS Securities. The company will act on WAPA’s behalf as it seeks out the design, installation and financing of a lighting and solar project. Rhymer told board members the lighting project consists of the retrofitting and installation of smart lighting solutions to more than 15,700 streetlights. The project will also include 100-watt LED fixtures and replacement lights, a controller, a WI-FI communication network and remote controls for the light’s operation. The estimated cost of the lighting project is $18.1 million. The solar project consists of the retrofitting and installation of 3.5 megawatt solar power generation on 10,425

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streetlight poles, including high eﬃciency 240-watt panels, micro-inverters, a communication network and remote control. The solar project has an estimated cost of $10.9 million. (Caribbean News Now!)

WAPA Executive Director/CEO Julio Rhymer

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Press Freedom Organisation Condemns Harassment Of Journalist By Venezuelan Government PARIS, France -- Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has and social crisis, with massive street demonstrations being held condemned the Venezuelan government’s harassment of Globovisión’s well-known TV host Melissa Turibbi. In the latest serious violation of her rights, at a time of great tension for the opposition media, intelligence officers searched and ransacked her home on 24 October. The raid was carried out by five members of the Bolivarian Intelligence Service (SEBIN), the government’s espionage and counter-espionage agency, who said they were looking for her when they arrived at her home and then entered without a warrant or any other authorization. Turibbi was away on work trip at the time. The only persons there were her son, who suffers from autism, and his nanny. After shutting the boy in a room, the agents proceeded to conduct a thorough search and ransack the apartment. They seemed to be looking for her computer and personal documents and left after finding nothing. This is not the first time Turibbi has been subjected to this kind of pressure. A specialist in politics and military affairs, she is well known in Venezuela for being outspoken and for criticizing President Nicolás Maduro’s government, especially on “Reportes Estelar,” the programme she hosts for Globovisión. After temporarily losing consciousness in a car accident on 11 February, Turibbi was found by members of the Bolivarian National Police (PNB), who recognized her and asked her to accompany them. During the ensuing interrogation, she was insulted and, while her hands were bound, she was roughed up and accused of “resisting the authorities”. She was then taken from one police station to another and subjected to further physical violence without being allowed to contact her family or lawyer. She was finally released the next day after several hours in a hospital with respiratory problems. She filed a complaint with the public prosecutor’s office but no action was taken. “We condemn this grave violation of Melissa Turibbi’s rights and urge the government to stop harassing and censoring Venezuelan journalists, regardless of their political views or the editorial policies of the media they work for,” said Emmanuel Colombié, the head of RSF’s Latin America desk.“The medieval methods used by Venezuela’s authorities to censor the government’s critics are unacceptable and very worrying for the future of the media in country currently embroiled in a major crisis.” When reached by RSF, Turibbi said she would not file a complaint about the burglary attempt because no action was taken in response to her previous complaint. Turibbi used to co-host a programme with Vladimir Villega called “Melissa y Vladimir” but was removed on 24 May after interviewing the then parliamentarian Ricardo Sánchez, who was very critical of the pro-government militias. She attributed her removal to direct government pressure. Tense street protests Venezuela is currently experiencing a major economic

in Caracas and the rest of the country in recent weeks and the opposition now calling for a general strike. The climate is extremely tense and many attacks on media personnel have been reported. During an extraordinary session of the national assembly on 23 October, a group of armed governmentsupporters stormed into the chamber and disrupted the proceedings. Three journalists were threatened at gunpoint, one was physically attacked and equipment was stolen from many others. Espacio Público, a local NGO, reported that three Peruvian journalists working for the Mexican TV channel Televisa – Ricardo Burgos, Leonidas Chávez and Armando Muñoz – and Rodrigo Abd, an Argentine photographer with the Associated Press, were denied entry to Venezuela on Wednesday, shortly after landing in Caracas with the aim of covering a major anti-government demonstration. Immigration oﬃcials at Caracas international airport said they did not have valid work visas and them put on ﬂights back to their home countries. RSF condemned the use of such censorship methods on the eve of big protests on 1 September. According to Espacio Público, no fewer than ten journalists were attacked during Wednesday’s demonstrations. Venezuela is ranked 139th out of 180 countries in RSF’s 2016 World Press Freedom Index. (Caribbean News Now)

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GUYANA DAILY NEWS Venezuela: General Strike Staged Against Nicolas Maduro PAGE 168

Opposition leaders in Venezuela have staged a general strike to push for a referendum on removing President Nicolas Maduro from power. Many shops, businesses and schools stayed closed on Friday and public transport was quieter than usual. But adherence to the strike was patchy and poorer areas largely ignored it. Mr Maduro, who had warned companies they risked being seized if they joined the strike, said the walkout had failed. Speaking to crowds of supporters, he said the oil industry had ignored the strike, as had basic industries, banks, schools and transport. What's behind Venezuela's turmoil? Mr Maduro also announced measures to offset economic hardship - mostly caused by plummeting oil prices - by promising to implement a 40% rise of the minimum wage. It was the fourth increment this year. The move has been dismissed by analysts as insignificant when the country faces spiralling inflation. The centre-right opposition coalition is also angry over a decision to block a referendum on removing Mr Maduro from power in the oil-rich South American country. The coalition won a majority in the National Assembly last December and staged huge anti-government protests earlier this week. The mass demonstrations came after a recall referendum process - an attempt to remove Mr Maduro from power - was suspended. Opposition activists had gathered about 1.8 million signatures petitioning for the referendum, 400,000 of which were validated by electoral authorities. But the process was halted last week after officials said the signature collection process had been marred by fraud. Parliament voted on Tuesday to open a trial against Mr Maduro, whom MPs accuse of violating the constitution. He called it a "political trial" and said anyone who violated the constitution by launching it should be jailed. Mr Maduro, a former bus driver and union leader, is blamed by the opposition for Venezuela's dire economic situation and widespread food shortages. In turn, he has accused the opposition of having links to foreign states, the US in particular, and of seeking to overthrow him to "lay their hands on Venezuela's oil riches". Under Venezuela's constitution, a recall referendum can be held

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once a president has served half of his term in oﬃce and the requisite steps are met. So far, the opposition has only completed the ﬁrst step of the process. (BBC)

Hundreds of thousands rallied against President Maduro on Wednesday

Supporters of Mr Maduro have also taken to the streets this week

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Queensland Theme Parks Get 'Safety Blitz' After Dreamworld Tragedy

Local resident Nicole Baker and her daughter Charlize lay ﬂowers at Dreamworld after four tourists were killed there. The Australian state of Queensland has ordered what it called a "safety blitz" of all theme parks, following Tuesday's accident at Dreamworld where four people died. Specialist inspectors will examine the rides and

maintenance records at all theme parks in the region. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the state's health and safety laws would also be audited. And a new oﬀence of gross negligence causing death could be created. Penalties for workplace-related deaths and injuries may be increased. Two men and two women were killed when Dreamworld's Thunder

River Rapids ride malfunctioned on Tuesday. Dreamworld CEO Craig Davidson said the park would not reopen until after the funerals of the victims, while the rides will remain closed until police investigations are finalised. The Queensland audit also follows another accident earlier this month when two men in their 20s were crushed to death by a concrete slab at Brisbane's Eagle Farm Racecourse. The tourist attractions under scrutiny attract around 1.8m visitors each year. They include Australia Zoo, owned by the family of the late "Crocodile Hunter", Steve Irwin, and Sea World and Movie World on the Gold Coast. The audits should be finished by the end of November. At present, the maximum penalty under health and safety laws in Queensland is five years' imprisonment. Individual officers can be fined up to $600,000 (£373,940 / $455,910) and corporations up to $3m (£1.8m / $2.2m). (BBC)

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US Election 2016: Clinton Demands Details Of New Email Probe

Hillary Clinton has urged the FBI to explain without delay why it is carrying out a new investigation into her use of emails. Americans "deserve to get the full and complete facts immediately," she said. The FBI says it has fresh emails which may be "pertinent" to a previous inquiry into her use of a private server when she was secretary of state. Republican presidential rival Donald Trump said the move was the "biggest political scandal since Watergate". The FBI's announcement was made on Friday, just 11 days before the election. The latest emails were discovered as part of a separate investigation into the estranged husband of top Clinton aide, Huma Abedin. Devices belonging to her and Anthony Weiner, a former highﬂying congressman, were seized in an investigation into whether he sent sexually explicit emails to a 15-yearold girl in North Carolina. How damaging is this for Clinton? What is her email scandal all about? 18 revelations from Wikileaks Clinton hack Anthony Weiner: Behind the scenes of a political marriage The discovery of the new emails was revealed by FBI director James Comey in a letter to Congress on Friday. Mr

Comey said while he did not yet know the significance of the findings, the FBI would investigate if any of the emails contained classified information. Democrat presidential candidate Mrs Clinton said she was "confident" the investigation into the emails would not change the FBI's original finding in July. The FBI decided she should not be prosecuted for her use of a private email server as secretary of state - a position she held between 2009 and 2013. “It's imperative that the bureau explain this issue in question, whatever it is, without any delay," she told reporters on the campaign trail in Des Moines, Iowa, on Friday. A senior media adviser on her campaign, James Rubin, told the BBC on Saturday that "when this is all over, this is going to be a gigantic tempest in a teapot". He also suggested the FBI decided to send the letter now to prevent it being criticised by the Republicans after the election. For his part, Donald Trump told a crowd of supporters at a rally in Iowa: "It's everybody's hope that justice at last can be delivered." "The FBI would never have reopened this case at this time unless it were a most egregious criminal offence." He compared the latest development to that of the 1970s Watergate scandal that engulfed then-Republican President Richard Nixon. 'October surprise' for Clinton - US media react Front cover of New York PostImage copyrightNEW YORK POST "The question will be how badly damaged was Ms Clinton's candidacy by the 11th-hour re-eruption of a controversy that never should have generated so much suspicion or accusation in the first place" - Wall Street Journal "Mrs Clinton's apparent effort to blunt scrutiny by means of that private server has only led to far more damaging scrutiny and suspicion, with

no end in sight" - New York Times "It would be nice if Comey could expedite this "overtime" investigation: Having it run past 8 November raises even more complications" - New York Post "Dashed are the hopes that the campaign could come to a conclusion on a high note, instilling in Americans a feeling that casting a history-making vote for Clinton is something more than merely a repudiation of Donald Trump" - Politico's Annie Karnie "If past is prologue, and it usually is, then a Hillary Clinton presidency may be engulfed and disabled by scandal. As a consequence, she is likely to accomplish little on behalf of the American people. In other words, her presidency could be dead on arrival" Fox News' Gregg Jarrett "Hillary Clinton's biggest concern will not be the very remote possibility of future criminal charges, but the much likelier chance that a few too many voters in key states will have second thoughts about pulling the lever for a presidential contender still under suspicion of wrongdoing by the FBI" - CNN's Buck Sexton The FBI has already established the Democratic candidate had classiﬁed information on a private email server. In July, Mr Comey said Mrs Clinton's handling of sensitive material during her tenure as secretary of state was "extremely careless", but cleared her of any criminal wrongdoing. The revelation that she handled sensitive information while breaking federal rules by running her own email server out of her upstate New York home has dogged her campaign since last year. Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta criticised the FBI's "extraordinary" timing. Opinion polls suggest Mrs Clinton is four points ahead of Mr Trump, according to a Real Clear Politics average. (BBC)

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Central African Republic: Clashes Leave 25 Dead - UN

UN peacekeepers were sent to CAR in 2014 Twenty-ﬁve people have been killed in two days of violence in the Central African Republic, the UN peacekeeping mission has said. On Thursday, 15 people died in clashes

between Muslim fighters of the former Seleka militia and the Christian vigilante anti-Balaka group, it said. Six police officers and four civilians died in an ambush on Friday. The Central African Republic has been wracked by conflict along religious and ethnic lines since 2013.

In a statement on Saturday, the Minusca mission said "clashes between elements of the anti-Balaka and exSeleka caused 15 deaths and a number of wounded" in the town of Bambari, about 250km (150 miles) north-east of the capital Bangui. It added that "six gendarmes and four civilians lost their lives on Friday morning in an ambush on the Bambari-Grimari road". The UN mission urged all armed groups to end "the cycle of attack and reprisal". Seleka rebels brieﬂy seized power in March 2013 and deposed the Christian President Francois Bozize. The Seleka group was itself then ousted, leading to a wave of violent reprisals against the Muslim population by the Christian anti-Balaka militia. Thousands of people have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced in the CAR since 2013. More than 12,000 UN peacekeepers are deployed in the country. (BBC)

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Nigeria 'Rickshaw Bombs' Leave Seven Dead In Maiduguri

The two bombers were driving motorised rickshaws, officials said Two suicide bombers on motorised rickshaws have killed at least seven people in Maiduguri in the northeast of Nigeria, officials say. A female suicide bomber blew herself up outside a camp for displaced people, killing five men, the army said. Within 30 minutes, another bomber detonated explosives near a fuel depot. Boko Haram Islamists are the key suspects, remaining able to stage frequent attacks despite major recent government gains against them. Nine bodies, including

The main suspects, Boko Haram, have staged many attacks in the area

those of the two suicide bombers, were recovered. Twenty-four people wounded in the explosions were evacuated to nearby hospitals, said Sani Datta, spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency. The agency said the ﬁrst bomber tried to enter the Bakassi camp, which is estimated to house 16,000 people displaced during the government's seven-year battle against Boko Haram. A military spokesman said the second bomber was following a fuel tanker "with the sole aim of gaining entry to cause maximum damage and casualties." (BBC)

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Mosul Iraq Battle: Shia Militias Aim To Take Tal Afar

Shia militias say they want "to liberate Tal Afar” Iraq's Shia militia groups say they have launched an attack against Islamic State militants west of Mosul, as the oﬀensive to retake the city continues. The Hashid Shaabi groups say their aim is to oust IS from the town of Tal Afar, cutting jihadist supply routes to Mosul from

Syria. Tal Afar had a Shia majority before IS overran it in 2014. Mosul is a Sunni city, and the Shia militias have pledged not to enter it. Iraq began the oﬀensive last week. Iraqi, Kurdish and allied forces, backed by US air power, have advanced in their push to retake Mosul, IS's de facto capital in Iraq. "The operation aims to cut supplies between Mosul and Raqqa (IS's de

facto capital in Syria) and tighten the siege... in Mosul and liberate Tal Afar," Hashid Shaabi spokesman Ahmed al-Assadi told the AFP news agency. He added that the operation was launched from an area south of Mosul. During previous military campaigns against IS, Shia militia groups have been accused of committing serious crimes, including war crimes, against Sunni civilians. As many as 1.5 million people are believed to remain in Mosul. There are fears IS could use them as human shields as the operation closes in on the city. On Friday, the UN said that IS militants had abducted tens of thousands of civilians from areas around the city to use them as human shields. The jihadist group has also killed some 190 former members of Iraq's security services and 42 civilians, apparently for refusing to obey its orders, the UN added. (BBC)

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Chicago O'Hare Plane Fire: American A i r l i n e s J e t A b o r t s Ta ke-Off runway. 'Windows melting' Sarah

An image of the plane on fire that was taken from a video filmed by one of the passengers An American Airlines plane has caught fire on the runway of Chicago's O'Hare airport while taking off. The Boeing 767 bound for Miami experienced an "uncontained engine failure", officials involved in the investigation said. The pilot aborted the take-off and evacuated everyone on board via emergency chutes as

black smoke billowed from the plane. Twenty people suffered minor injuries, the fire department said. Nine crew members and 161 passengers were on board. A federal official quoted by the Associated Press news agency said the plane appeared to have suffered a rare and serious type of engine failure in which parts break off and are spewed outside the engine. Passengers reported an explosion followed by flames and black smoke as the plane was speeding down the

Ahmed said everyone on the right side of the plane rushed from their seats and moved to the left side. "People are yelling, 'Open the door! Open the door!' Everyone's screaming and jumping on top of each other to open the door," she told WLS-TV. "Within that time, I think it was seven seconds, there was smoke in the plane and the fire is right up against the windows, and it's melting the windows." The incident took place at 14:35 local time (19:35 GMT). An initial statement by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the plane had burst a tyre, but that information was later deleted from the statement. Why do people grab their bags after a plane crash? American Airlines said passengers who still wanted to travel had been put on another flight to Miami. Elsewhere, a FedEx plane caught fire at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, airport after its landing gear collapsed on landing, the FAA said.(BBC)

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Calais 'Jungle': France Urges UK To Take More Children

Shelters at the camp are being pulled down France's president has urged Britain to take its share of responsibility for migrant children who remain in Calais after the "Jungle" camp was cleared. Francois Hollande said 1,500 unaccompanied minors who were still in the port city would be taken to accommodation centres very shortly. Migrants ﬂeeing war and poverty had used the sprawling Jungle site as a staging post to try and reach the UK. The UK has so far agreed to take in about 250 of the children from there. The Jungle had been seen as a key symbol of Europe's failure to deal with the worst migrant crisis since World War Two.At least 1,500 minors have been staying at a special container camp at the site, but it has been full and many children have also reportedly been sleeping rough. Mr Hollande said he and UK Prime Minister Theresa May had discussed British oﬃcials processing them in France with a view to rehousing them in the UK.

Some of the child migrants at Calais have been sleeping rough, aid workers say "I talked yesterday [Friday] with the British prime

minister, as [French Interior Minister] Bernard Cazeneuve did with his British counterpart, so that the British can go to those centres with those minors and take their share to welcome them in Britain," he said. Mr Hollande was speaking during a visit to an accommodation centre for migrants in Doue-laFontaine in western France. He hailed the evacuation of the Calais Jungle as a success. "There were no incidents from start to ﬁnish," Mr Hollande said. "We had to rise to the challenge of the refugee issue. We could not tolerate the camp and we will not tolerate any others." He added the encampments springing up in the capital Paris would be forced to close. Many of the 5,000 people evacuated from the Jungle have been taken to reception centres around France, where they are being processed and will be able to apply for asylum. But aid workers believe that hundreds, or perhaps even thousands of migrants, might have ﬂed the area before the clearance operation began last Monday. Demolition work is continuing and the local authorities say the clearance will be completed by Monday. (BBC)

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Taiwan Gay Pride: Thousands Throng Taipei Streets

The rainbow ﬂag, which represents the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, was visible across Taipei on Saturday Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets of Taiwan's capital, Taipei, to participate in Asia's biggest gay pride parade. Many of those who attended carried placards calling on the government to legalise same sex marriage. Dressed in colourful costumes and carrying rainbow ﬂags, they paraded in front of Taiwan's presidential palace. Taiwan is more liberal than much of Asia on LGBT rights but moves toward marriage equality have stalled. The

ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which controls Taiwan's parliament and took power ﬁve months ago, is widely considered sympathetic to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Many are hopeful that samesex marriage will become a reality under the DPP. Earlier this week, the DPP announced new measures to allow homosexual party employees the same honeymoon leave and wedding gift entitlement that heterosexual couples g e t , t h e Ta i p e i Ti m e s reports. "The call for marriage equality feels stronger than last year,"

People from across the region, including these South Koreans, took part in the march Corinne Chiang, who works in IT, told the AFP news agency. "We hope same-sex marriage can be realised as soon as possible so our child can have two legal moms. "Proposals for gay marriage in Taiwan have stalled in recent years because of resistance from the Kuomintang (KMT) party, which was unseated by the DPP in May. But the new president, Tsai Ing-wen, has voiced her support for samesex marriage and parliament is expected to consider fresh proposals on the issue soon. If it goes into force, Taiwan will become the ﬁrst Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage. (BBC)

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Italian Bridge Collapses On Busy Road In Lecco was using the bridge. At least four other cars were involved in the accident - one was completely crushed underneath the fallen bridge. Anas, Italy's road authority, insisted it had asked for the bridge to be closed at about 14:00 after one of its workers spotted problems.

A car is precariously balanced - a lucky escape for the occupants One man has been killed and ďŹ ve other people have been injured in Italy after a bridge collapsed over a busy road. The bridge, in Lecco province near Milan, fell when a heavy goods vehicle was crossing, crushing cars below. The company which runs Italy's main roads has blamed local authorities, saying it had demanded the immediate closure of the bridge hours before Friday's accident. A preliminary criminal investigation has been opened. The accident occurred around 17:20 (15:20 GMT) as an articulated lorry carrying a specially authorised heavy weight (108 tonnes)

One car was completely crushed It said Lecco province oďŹ&#x192;cials had demanded the information in writing - which required a formal inspection of the site. However, the bridge had collapsed before an inspector could reach it. Lecco authorities have denied Anas's version of events. (BBC)

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Exeter Fire: Royal Clarence Hotel Collapses As Blaze Rages

The blaze started at 05:00 BST in buildings on Cathedral Green A hotel has begun to collapse in a massive fire that has raged throughout the night. The front of the Royal Clarence, described as England's oldest hotel, has started to fall away in the blaze in Exeter, Devon. The fire broke out at about 05:00 BST on Friday in buildings on Cathedral Green before spreading to the hotel, which dates back to 1769. The gas supply has been turned off after a ruptured main fuelled the fire. Police believe the fire in the hotel is now largely out. They are bringing in a drone to assess the structure of the building. Structural engineers I have spoken with expect the facade of the hotel to crumble further. The fire did spread into the Laura Ashley store on High Street but that has been contained. Services and a concert at Exeter Cathedral have been cancelled and there is an overwhelming sense of sadness in the city. line break

The fire broke out above the Castle Fine Art gallery where renovation work was under way, before spreading to the Well House Tavern, a cafe and the Royal Clarence Hotel. A spokesman for the fire service said the gallery and hotel had been destroyed by the blaze, but that the cause of the fire was unknown. Fire crews are expected to remain at the scene until Sunday. Chief fire officer Lee Howell said: "We're grateful no one has been hurt in this incident but the community has lost a historic building which is a landmark of the city. "We kept significant resources at the scene to ensure we were able to deal with every eventuality and we will continue to do everything we can to protect the heritage of this city. "I'd like to thank the public for their support and we will be working with other agencies to reduce disruption in the city centre as much as possible." Despite the road closures, fire officers, and crowds of onlookers, Nikki

and Fraser Burling-Hobbs managed to get married at the Guildhall, just across the road from the partially collapsed Royal Clarence Hotel.

the night to the nearby Mercure. There were no reported casualties. Lucy, from Australia, told Radio Devon: "I was woken up by the ﬁre alarm at ﬁve o'clock. Someone was

From above the hotel appears to have been gutted A statement from the hotel owners, Andrew Brownsword Hotels, said: "We are immensely grateful for the tremendous efforts made by all the emergency services and especially the fire service, who have worked with such focus and determination throughout the night. "The support offered by the Mercure Hotel, Exeter City Council and colleagues in Exeter at this difficult time has been overwhelming, and we thank everyone involved for their outstanding efforts and g e n e r o s i t y. T h e g r o u p thanked its own "incredible team of staff" who behaved with "positivity and professionalism" in managing the situation. Guests were evacuated from their rooms in the middle of

banging on the door and all I could see were orange flames through the window. "I grabbed my passport there was a lot of fiery ash falling down. The building was totally in flames." Building control engineers told the BBC, the facade of the historic hotel was expected to crumble away. Canon Anna Norman-Walker, from Exeter Cathedral, said: "Moments ago another great crash happened and the front facing is starting to come away. "It's really heartbreaking to see because it's such a magnificent and beautiful building and so much a part of our heritage here in Exeter." Firefighters have been using water from the River Exe hundreds of metres away to help extinguish the blaze. (BBC)